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.
Photo by Phương Anh Nguyễn on Unsplash
Rio L. Barney is an author of all things fantasy with a dash of horror and sci-fi mixed in. When not trekking through the wilds of Utah with her husband and three children, she can be found hacking away at a computer, often laughing at her own jokes. She loves to stare at the stars and dig in the dirt while attempting to grow anything and everything in the heavy clay of Utah County. Born and raised in Lehi, she has traveled the world only to return to her hometown. You can find her on Facebook as Rio Barney and Instagram @barneyrio