The God of Time

They asked me, “Do you know what the cost is for greatness?”

I shook my head and trembled, my belly danced with dread.

They said to me, “You will make enemies of your friends and finally understand your foes. You will spend many days and nights questioning your intent. Your family will abandon you and you will hunger for affection and compassion. You must feed it with might and iron. You must drag your lifeless body across many deserts before you drink from the cups of the gods. It won’t be a matter of worthy, it will be a matter of will.”

I reclaimed the power of my tongue and mind and whispered my wishes.

I saw them come to fruition and I frightened myself.

I made a crown out of the bones of my enemies

I no longer spoke their names and they disappeared.

I drank from the cup until I began to choke,

As I quenched my thirst.

I became the victor.