Born to Climb, Part 2

a read aloud... and, a small announcement

Before I offer you my reading (keep scrolling), I want to announce that I got another essay published! Woo!

It’s called “In the Wilderness” and it’s over at Appalachian Lit.

This is just a photo, not a link. Also probably should mention that this image, “Portal,” is by Jaci Rice, 2026.

I wrote the first drafts of “In the Wilderness” in 2008, around the same time as “Born to Climb” came out of me, actually. Sometimes it takes a long time to finish a piece, sometimes not. There is a lot about “In the Wilderness” that came together just in the past year or two, most of which was my own maturity and patience to let thoughts and ideas steep as long as they needed to. In a way, I’m thankful for the rejections this essay got along the way— I’ve sent it out quite a few times over the years— because otherwise, it wouldn’t have been as, well, as what it has become now. I was going to say, as insightful, or as beautiful, but that seems presumptuous on my part.

Of course, I love this piece! Of course, I think it’s insightful and beautiful! Let me know what you think.

Now let me offer you Part two of “Born to Climb”…