The Horizon I'm Seeking...

The Horizon I’m Seeking Lies Inside of Me

By J. Adrian Betancourt

May arrives with a wink and a grin
Sun on my face, as the new month begins
Another bright trip around the sun
Another lap lived, another race run

But this one feels different, hopeful and new
Like the sky just widened and let me through
Not fading, not slowing, not drifting away
I’m blooming out loud in this warm month of May

My forties are bowing, the curtain is near
And fifty is knocking, but I have no fear
I hear it out there with a confident beat
Like Queen fans dutifully stomping their feet

Come on in, Fifty, but wipe off your shoes
I’ve got stories to write and no time to lose
I’m not winding down, I’m catching my flame
Remembering my purpose, reclaiming my name

There’s a younger me watching, amazed from afar
Saying, “Look at you now, still chasing the stars”
And the man I’m becoming just laughs and replies
“The best roads begin when the old map dies”

I’ve worn many hats, I’ve carried much weight
I’ve rushed through the doors that would not wait
I’ve fought for the future, I’ve built, and I’ve led
I’ve lived half in duty, half in my head

But now something wondrous is stirring in me
An emergent butterfly, breaking free
The soul that has whispered for years from within
Has pushed fear aside and taken command

I’m writing, I’m reaching, I’m daring to dream
I’m stepping at last into my own theme
My shy alter ego, once tucked out of sight
Has pulled up a chair and is writing by light

He’s clever, he’s curious, the wisest of men

Quick with the wit, and bold with a pen
He’s got ancient orders and secrets to tell
A book on the way and a story to sell

My first published novel now waits in the wings
With dragons, medallions and mystical things
It has action, adventure and plot twists ‘n turns

All the ingredients for which the mind yearns

And somehow, through fiction, I’m learning what’s true
That every old self can be made into new
That pages are portals, and words are the key
And the hero I’m writing is the hero in me

So thank you, dear life, for the steep winding road
For the swings, wins and losses; for the lessons they hold
For family, for friendships, for mornings that shine
For love that has weathered the passage of time

Thank you for chances that I almost missed
For doors that appeared where none should exist
For the stumbles that taught me, the scars that refined
For the peace I have earned, the fire I still find

I’m grateful for all that has brought me to here
The struggle, the sweetness, the doubt, and the cheer
For every strange season, both bitter and blessed
That carved out my heart, revealing my best

So here’s to the May of my forty-ninth year
To horizons within growing brighter and clear
To trying new things, to a soul taking flight
To dancing with wonder and writing by night

Here’s to the man I am proud to become
Still hearing the call of a faraway drum
Still young in the places that matter the most
Still raising a glass to the dream and the toast

I’m not chasing youth, but reclaiming my prime
Not running from age, but befriending time
Not near the ending, not even the crest
I’m peaking, I’m blooming, becoming my best

So let fifty come knocking, I’ll answer with style
With courage, wisdom, swagger and guile
With gratitude glowing, with wonder in view
With a heart full of “thanks,” and “what’s next?” too

For May is not merely a month on the wall
It’s my annual summons to rise with proud gall
To widen, to brighten, to trust what I see
That the horizon I’m seeking lies inside of me