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Sheila M. Ross

Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park, Alberta

The Columbia Icefield melts faster and faster. Tourists see a majestic glacier of shimmering ice and snow. I see a terrifying exposure of land.

The year markers of my grandparent's and parent's generations are mere inches apart. But I am separated from my parents by many feet, and my son is separated from me by many yards.

I choose five small stones for each of us; stones born into the sunlight in the same year as us.

ten stones
on the kitchen window sill
close together