
Lost in a labyrinth that once sustained a mind
Lived a wandering spirit, possibly the last of its kind.
What he sought he could not name nor draw a likeness to show
But he knew in his heart of hearts that one day he’d know.
Seconds turned into weeks and then the weeks into years,
But the wanderer counted not time, he stubbornly persevered.
Unfortunately, the values he held high became obliterated from view
Leaving the wanderer unsure of what was a lie and what was true.
Early one spring day that which was sought was found in open sight
But the image had changed. No longer was it right.
Tarnished by greed, by envy, and by pride,
But the wanderer withheld the truth. He told none of it. He lied.
The traveller has disappeared no longer visible to mankind
And the truth that he sought dwells in no man’s mind.
Nobody knows exactly when the deception took place and took hold
But one thing is true—life gets no easier when you grow old.
© 2020, Daniel Kemp All rights reserved
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.
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This poem is compelling and truthful, DAnny. Aging brings wisdom and experience but saps your physical strength and endurance. If only we could extend our living years by being younger for longer. We would be able to enjoy greater freedom to be children without having to cram so much knowledge in to our heads in a short time, thereby depriving us of the joyfulness of a responsibility free period in our lives.
All very true but I was less altruistic and far more selfish in composing this one–I was thinking of me and how I keep finding bad health issues around every corner I turn. 😦