No Mistake

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“I am heavy, I am tired,” said the old man to the child. “My life is drawing to an end. It is not what I have done to life that has brought me here today, but what life has done to me along the way.

I was strong, I was fierce. I took no-one to my side. Simply brushing them aside with no need of them.
Now I find that I’m alone, but don’t pity nor disown those memories that I’ve sown along the way.

My path was never straight, sometimes narrow, sometimes wide but along it, I did stride to find you here.
Now your life lies ahead and it’s your path that you must tread, but never worry which one you choose to take.

For I have reached that final bend the one that leads me to my end and now I leave you here to make your own way through this life.
Tread your path with care but always be aware, that there is no such thing in life as a mistake.”

© 2016, Danny Kemp.

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About Daniel Kemp

At the age of seventy-six, Daniel Kemp has started his second year of studying the science of Psychology at the Open University. He is a member of The Society of Authors and also a bestselling writer. However, in early September 2025, he was diagnosed with cancer. He is now in palliative care at home, being looked after by his ex-wife. When he was writing his novels, he enjoyed writing stories that appealed to those who liked challenging themselves to solve mysteries that were set out before their eyes, but they couldn't. His introduction to the world of espionage and mystery happened at an early age when his father was employed by the War Office in Whitehall, London, at the end of WWII. However, it wasn’t until after his father died that he showed any interest in anything other than himself! On leaving academia he took on many roles in his working life: a London police officer, mini-cab business owner, pub tenant and licensed London taxi driver, but never did he plan to become a writer. Nevertheless, after a road traffic incident left him suffering from PTSD and effectively—out of paid work for four years, he wrote and self-published his first novel —The Desolate Garden. Within three months of publication, that book was under a paid option to become a $30 million film. The option lasted for six years until distribution became an insurmountable problem for the production company. All ten of his novels are now published by Next Chapter Publishing Company which has added an edition titled The Heirs And Descendants Collection, which holds all four books of that series, alongside an edition titled The Lies And Consequences Collection which contains all four volumes of that series. He is the recipient of rave reviews from a prestigious Manhattan publication and described as—the new Graham Green—by a highly placed executive of Waterstones Books, for whom he did a countrywide tour of book signing events. He has also appeared on 'live' television in the UK publicising his first novel. Less
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9 Responses to No Mistake

  1. I like this poem Danny, and I am right behind you. :o)

  2. Daniel Kemp's avatar Danny Kemp says:

    Thank you for that, Patricia.

  3. gippyhenry7's avatar gippyhenry7 says:

    That is just beautiful and so heartfelt, Danny! It touches me so deeply. Thank you for sharing it and for all of your wonderful words you bring together in such insightful ways.

  4. Deep, touching and insightful! Loved reading!

  5. This is an impactful piece of writing, Danny. I agree that nothing in life is a mistake, it is a stepping stone onwards and upwards.

  6. Daniel Kemp's avatar Daniel Kemp says:

    Exactly.

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