No Hurry for the Last Horizon.

We travel this long winding road
From birth until the journey’s end,
Through twisting bends and rolling hills,
With every mile a faithful friend.

The kinder years now drift in mist,
Soft whispers fading with the years,
Yet somewhere in that distant haze
Still linger laughter, hopes, and cheers.

Then came youth with restless eyes,
A world of wonder yet to see,
Where every corner held a dream
And every horizon beckoned me.

There were disappointments on the way,
As every traveller comes to know,
Yet joy outshone the darker days
And helped the strongest memories grow.

Now when I pause and look behind,
The mist of history gathers deep,
And moments rise without a plan,
Like treasures memory chose to keep.

A face, a place, a summer’s day,
A joke that set the room alight,
The stories shared with family and friends,
Retold with warmth deep into night.

The hardships travelled with us too,
Yet seldom do they lead the tale;
Perhaps we hide them out of pride,
Or know that laughter tips the scale.

The road ahead still winds and rolls,
Its course concealed beyond each rise,
But now I walk with slower steps
And wiser, more appreciative eyes.

I no longer rush to reach the bend
Or race to see what waits beyond;
Each sunrise is a gift to hold,
Each ordinary day a bond.

In younger years I scarcely thought
Of meeting my Creator’s gaze;
Life stretched forever in my mind,
An endless road of countless days.

There were moments, serving far from home,
When I prepared to meet Him then,
Yet fortune steered me onward still
To walk this winding road again.

Since then, I’ve travelled free and wide,
With no timetable in my hand,
An empty diary waiting still
To fill with dreams both great and grand.

Perhaps I’ll wander distant shores,
Or read old Burns beside the fire,
Or simply sit and write these words
While following curiosity’s desire.

I’ve never measured wealth by gold,
Nor counted riches coin by coin;
My treasure lies in journeys made,
In lives and stories I could join.

I’ve seen and done more than I dreamed,
Collected wonders through the years,
Not fame or fortune, but moments lived
Beyond the reach of doubts and fears.

And still, I search for fresh adventures,
For roads I’ve yet to wander down;
I simply take a gentler pace
And savour all that lies around.

For though the road must end one day,
That truth has never brought me dread;
There are still hills to climb and views to see,
Still chapters waiting to be read.

So let the long road twist and turn,
Let morning light reveal what’s next;
I’m in no hurry for the final mile,
My heart remains completely blessed.

And when at last I meet my Maker,
After every path I’ve wandered through,
He’ll find me smiling from the journey—
Grateful for the road, and every view.

Paul Baldry

Life has often felt like a long winding road, full of unexpected turns, steep climbs, and beautiful views. Looking back, I see childhood fading gently into the mist of history, while memories of youth, adventure, service, friendship, and discovery remain vivid. I have never measured success by wealth, but by experiences, places travelled, people met, and stories gathered along the way. This poem is my reflection on a life well lived, a celebration of the journey so far, and an appreciation for every mile still waiting ahead.

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