I wrote this poem last year but it would seem as though nothing has changed for the good in the world I looked upon then, to now. How much more can we waste?
To not live alone and be apart
To welcome love and share a heart
To take a blow without complaint
To offer peace without constraint.
To be pure when morals scream
To only see the beauty in all you dream
To show compassion to those in need
To be content with no thought of greed.
To wish for nothing and ask for less
To live a life without duress
To offer silence in a raging storm
To be yourself and not conform.
To accept the pitfalls along your path
To smile and always be willing to laugh
To see the good where others see bad
To be happy and never be sad.
To be complete with love to spare
To live in colour where nothing’s bare
To encourage and abide
To be humble and not full of pride.
To wish that fear could always abate
To offer friendship and speak no hate
To stand straight and strong beside the weak
To give the innocent a chance to speak.
Perhaps these words come from misty-eyes
And most of the things have been tried
But sentiment or not I know this much is true
I wish for a future that is better than the life I now view.
© 2019, 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.
Less
Daniel Kemp 
A lovely poem, Danny. I do believe there are lots of good people out there who are all these things. We dwell on the bad because that is what the media drenches us in. Good stories don’t attract readers in the same way as bad news does. I come across lovely people who uplift others in everything they say and do every single day. There is lots of hope.
Yes, I’m sure you’re right. You must be if there are people such as you in the world, Robbie 🙂
Thank you, Danny. Hugs.
A beautiful, and hopeful poem. But you’re right, the world has gotten worse since you wrote this last year. So sad to see…
I think it could be relevant next year and the year after, Jim. Thanks for stopping and posting a comment.
Beautiful sentiment Danny. I like to be optimistic and think that the world knows the mess it’s in and is now in purge mode before we can bring in the new 🙂
That’s a cleansing thought, Debby 🙂
You really touched on many key areas. A nice composition Kemp! 💕☕️☕️
Thank you 🙂
Thank you for your insightful poem, Daniel. I know so many wonderful people, but too many seem to have escaped from reality, good sense and the true meaning of humanity. More’s the huge pity! Best wishes.
Thank you for reading and leaving your comment. I really do appreciate it.
Hi Daniel. I don’t think to wish is wrong, it is just the ways humans are. If we were all the things you mention in your poem, we would be perfect, and perfection is definitely NOT a quality humans possess. It is a lovely, wishful thinking, poem though!
Thank you for that, Kim, and I apologise for taking so long to reply. Even I’m not perfect! 😛 😛 😛