I was a kid when I first came upon the mountain.

A majestic green giant in a suburban landscape.

Intimidating yet beautiful at first sight.

My sister and I  crawled on hand and knees.

At the top everything slowed down as we viewed the landscape

We could see miles wide, the entire world was in our view with a blue sky as the backdrop.

The wooden play set was like a village in a fantasy land ready to be explore.

The mulch was like freshly fallen snow, we would lie in it and stare at the sky.

We would lie in the tire swing like it was our throne, watching the sun set upon the top of the mountain.

I was a young adult the second time I came upon the mountain, I was disillusioned.

Mulch I would lay in was replaced by blue foam.

The wooden, splinter ridden play set was removed and a cold, metal cage was put in its place.

It was simple. It was dangerous. It was ours. Now it was gone.  

It belonged to my sister and I.

Yet while we were gone they not only removed us from the throne, but removed the throne itself.

My sister's eyes brightened as she thought back to our reign.

But the glimmer in her eyes died out as I spoke of what I saw.

Discontented she shook her head and simply walked away with out speaking.

I feel sorry for those kids; that they won't get the pleasure of rocking in a tire swing while the sun dies down.

They won't get to lie in a bed of mulch or brave getting a splinter while traveling along a wooden village.

But to each their own Kingdom, I suppose. I've enjoyed mine, so let them enjoy theirs.