IanG

I like the metephores of the heron and the airport terminal.

You do a good job of evoking the forest and the cycle of decay and renewal.

I like the term 'brutally hard.' You bring two very different worlds up against each other and the contrast works well.

Just one thing, you refer to the floor and it seems to be outdoors. We usually say 'ground' for the natural earth beneath our feet and 'floor' for a man-made covering. That said, people sometimes refer to the 'forest floor' and the rest of your descriptions are good.

This is a good piece, it evokes both poverty and nature vividly.

There are some things we can control and others we can't. It may sound obvious, but we don't always identify what we can and can't control correctly. You may think that something is out of your hands, then find a way to influence events. Some people think they can solve anything and then find out they can't. Even adults sometimes misjudge situations. The main thing is to forgive yourself for mistakes and, if possible, do something to make amends or at least learn from said mistakes. We may never be perfect but we can get better.

As a walker I can relate to this. Only yesterday I tried a path that was new to me. Perhaps I should think more about the people who went this way before me.

Perhaps you could say 'at first he didn't realise the door was ajar,' as he clearly does realise eventually. Nonetheless its good for a first attempt. Your protagonist and his feelings are totally convincing.

I like your descriptive style and the scenario is convincing, keep it up.