Soft bark against the side of my face feels neutral, compared to sunlight, which I don’t feel now, but have felt today.

I readjust my feet among the roots and dirt, but keep my face and chest pressed to the tree. We’re hugging. Trees think slower than humans, so I’ll hug them until I feel them hug me back.

More dirt between my toes. I forget which shoes I wore. It’s probably the ROAs. I can feel the seam of my pants separating my cheeks like I planned.

“Ouch!” Jumping away from the tree, I catch a bug on my neck. A red ant! No wonder it stings!

Looking back at the tree, I’ll just assume it hugged me back. We love each other and the forest too. So does the earth and the sun. And this ant, and all the trees and trees.

The sunlight is orange, reaching out to me, between tree branches. Pine needles split the light into rays. Ahh, the sun and the trees are bringing the energy of source straight to me. I am light, just like the sun is shining.

“Hi friend,” an angular voice touches the back of my neck. It’s unpleasant, until I turn around. She’s braless and offers her hand to me. Both my hands wrap around hers.

“So, yeah,” she shifts her bag on her shoulder, with both hands, “the sunset view is that way,” and points ahead along a trail, only slightly crowded.

The hem of her dress swishes, but only slightly up and down her legs, as they move one in front of the other. Is she one of those fitness influencers? More legs between us, but they’re harry, or have cellulite. I step back into someone.

“Oh shit! There you are! What the fuck happened to you?” I’m embraced and jostled between sweaty bodies.

Laughing, I gesture at the trees, their roots and trunks and branches. The orange light is rays coming towards me again. Tears roll down my face. Just let them.

My elbow is tugged and we’re walking along a trail. “This way!” I’m told.

I don’t remember getting here, but whatever, I’m holding hands with girls. They’re not necessarily beautiful, but they smile at me. We’re sweating in our palms together, but it seems that none of us mind.

The last curve of the sun moves below the horizon and the sky shifts to red and pink. We are bathed in light. Warm light and cold light, it’s all light, I’m light and you’re light and we’re all light. Kiss me. I wish to be a king. Yes, that is my destiny. I believe, right now, I am a king. Kiss me.

I turn to look at my companions, but they didn’t hear my thoughts. They aren’t kissing me, but they smile and reach across me to hug each other, letting go of my hands.

“So beautiful,” they request my validation. I nod. They giggle and we return to the group camp, where food is being prepared, and music is expected, and more tea.