Anatomy of a Journey, Part 1 | The first five hours are “home territory.” Your journey has not yet begun. Think mournfully about those you are leaving behind Invent regrets, the lack of one last hug. Dwell on everything you could have done. It is morning, and you will be half asleep as you drive, So snack constantly on whatever you want. Never count calories on a long road trip, Especially when you are the only driver.

Poetry by Harrison Miller, Summar West, James Bodenstedt, Daniela Summerlin, Mercedes Hawks, and Sean Kyte

Poetry by Lacy Snapp, Wayne Caldwell, Jerry Buchanan, David Winship, Jordan Hensley, Kevin Brown, & Sue Weaver Dunlap

When I wrote my first letter from the editor to you in January, I spoke of spring’s upcoming arrival, and the ever lengthening of light. It’s fitting that for this final installment for 2025, we’re falling instead into shortening days as our pocket of Appalachia becomes cloaked with the enchanting, fiery colors of fall, but the ever loss of sunshine and heat ...