AnotherShot

"A crown and justice? Night and day

Shall first be yoked together."

- Algernon Charles Swinburne

My name is Jonathan
I travelled west for eight great days.
I kept a journal to document my journey.
Although I found no riches,
I found the answer to all my problems.

I

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I

On the first day of my adventures I saw…

A broad river with water azure blue.
It looked very shallow, but I knew it was not.
I stood at the edge of the river as my curiosity grew.
I must find out, I thought.

I passed a by small, lively town.
As I walked through the beautiful road.
I saw a man with a large crown.
When I asked him about the river, he gave me a specific bode.

If I were to swim in the river,
I would see the truth.
But the consequence would begin with a small shiver.
And it would end with my demise.

This statement struck me by surprise.
The river seemed so beautiful and calm.
My first theory was lies.
But I thought to ask, to prevent future qualm.

He told me about the river and its origin.
It had mighty stories, and beautiful stories.
He told me about the great, and the horrible.
He most told me about of how protective it was of its territory.

The river cared for its own space.
It made sure to keep its water safe.
That is why the water is kept clear of any people.

Some things are better off without us, than with us.

II

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II

On the second day of my adventures I saw…

A vast field of bright rose flowers.
Their color was fruity.
Although I did not know their powers.
I still could feel their beauty.

As I passed through the field.
I could see children playing.
And all of my worries were healed.
As I began to leave, I thought to myself, why am I not staying?

I started walking to the center.
And the children playing began to fade.
I could hear a voice I could describe as tenor.
I do not remember what it said, but I remember it made me afraid.

I drew my sword, preparing for battle.
The roses withered and crumbled.
I looked behind me.
And saw a great beast.

Tall was its stature.
As it came charging, I slashed my sword.
With a swift, and clean swipe, I killed the beast.

Don't trust all that you see.

III

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III

A snowy mountainside, with distant mist.
The dark rocks, and light snow.
None of it seemed to actually exist.
As the sun rays made the ice glow.

Devoid of any life it was.
Although I could feel the mountains breathing.
The distant bite of ice-cold jaws.
As I heard the mountains teething.

Came evening unexpected.
I could see the mountains moving.
The ice-cold winds making me feel dejected.

As I walked into the night.
I could hear the mountains chasing.
With their ice-cold teeth they tried to bite.
Although the key to beat them was embracing.

I stood before the mountainside.
And asked them why they were here.
Despite my expectations, they replied.

All wonders go away with simple questions.

IV

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IV

On the fourth day of my adventures I saw…

A tall forest with glistening leaves.
As peaceful as it seemed,
I could hear the distant steps of thieves.
As I looked into the bright shining forest, I dreamed.

Peace I shall find, inside of nature.
To finally put my friends to rest.
Over the hill, across the glacier.
Testing my luck with going west.

As I treaded the forest floor,
I saw a small narrow river.
I sat on the rocky shore.
As I watched its stream sliver.

I thought to myself, staying silent.
Listening to the rustling leaves.
The world I left had been violent.

But nature was the most peaceful place in the world.

V

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V

On the fifth day of my adventures I saw…

A grassy plain, with few trees.
Cow-like beasts with large horns.
I could feel a strong breeze.
And my legs got poked with large thorns.

As I walked across the plain,
The large beasts noticed me.
As I walked it started to rain.
For it to stop, I plea.

For hours, the rain continued.
As I kept wishing for it to end.
When I accepted the rains existence,
It ended suddenly, despite its persistence.

I felt relief and thanks,
Although I did wish it stopped earlier.

Some things will only come to you when you aren't looking.

VI

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VI

On the fifth day of my adventures I saw…

A bright blue lake.
In the middle of a pine forest.
I sat on its shore and took a break.
As the rushing water chorused.

As I sat I thought about my past.
The battles, the death.
My memory was long and vast.
As the wind quieted, I could hear my breath.

I remembered all bad that had happened to me.
And how I forgot all of it when I ventured into the wilderness.
Nature is happiness's key.
And I forgot all of life's bitterness.

I got up and ventured away.
Regretting none, and knowing much.
I heard the water sway,
and my dreams I felt I could touch.

Nature is life's key to happiness.

VII

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VII

As I walked, I found a small farm.
It was bright and rusty.
And I found it had a small charm.
Inside I found a small book that was dusty.

As I walked out,
the environment had changed.
I started feeling doubt.
Maybe I was insane, and the barn was actually unchanged.

As I walked back through the barn,
the world changed back to normal.
Although something still seemed abnormal.
For the rest of my journey, I never found out what happened at that barn.

And I believe I never will.

VIII

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VIII

At the end of my journey, I sat down and thought. A year ago, I was ridden with guilt and despair. But as I spent days in nature, I had forgotten all of that. Somethings I still have no explanation for, but I do not wonder about them. The magic of my time in nature has cured me of all my worries. I will never forget this experience.