By Rio Barney
As a child, I trampled the Earth as if I ruled.
I swam in rivers, creeks, springs, and pools.
I climbed to the highest branch of the strongest tree.
Nothing was there to stop me.
As a child, I looked with wonder at the skies above.
I felt nothing around me but love.
As a man, I marched with armies through the mud.
Where I went, the rivers filled with blood.
I left towns black and charred.
The stench of death and ash my calling card.
I strung up honorable men to the highest tree.
There was nothing there, they were hanging free.
Bloody and cold, I laid upon the ground.
I thought by Death I would never be found.
I looked at the sky above.
I wondered what had ever become of the feeling, that feeling of love.
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