Trail Magic   A long day on the trail, a long way since water, and blisters that’ll never heal in those filthy socks. The map said right, instinct said left, the buzzards of doubt are wheeling overhead. They’re hungry and you’re hungry too — last night’s noodles and your last chocolate bar are long gone. Something must have stung you in the night, and nobody to talk to for days. This was supposed to be fun. But then the path opens onto a meadow where smiling strangers have come to feed the through-hikers, give them water, milk, honey. You didn’t believe your friends who said the trail will give you everything you need.                                                     for Matt on the AT     © Michael Fleming Putney, Vermont July 2024