As deep in thought before the fire I sat,
I felt a call that I could not ignore.
My hand reached out towards my cloak and hat;
I grabbed my boots and hurried for the door.

I stepped outside into the morning light -
My heartbeat seemed to take a quicker pace.
And there - the sunrise! Such an awesome sight!
It drew a smile of joy upon my face.

I stood as, silently, the sun it rose,
And all about the birds began to sing
From in the trees, the bushes, and hedgerows:
I would not trade that sound for anything.

And as the dawn spread forth, out from the sun,
I too set out, a-trav'ling from my home.
My journey, like the new day, had begun
And through the woods and fields I longed to roam.

And so without a care upon my mind
I set out, for this vast land to explore.
Round each new turn I took I seemed to find
A place more beautiful than all before.

Through hills my wand'rings took me, and through dales;
Through blooming fields all filled with flowers bright.
I trekked through sun, through rain and icy gales,
Onwards always! Through day, or darkest night.

Through narrow mountain passes I did go -
The icy peaks above loomed all around,
Their tips a-gleaming with fresh-fallen snow,
As I walked on, in search of unmapped ground.

Horizon calls to me across this land;
I ever long to tread the paths untrod
And on the highest mountain tops to stand,
The world spread out below me, as some god.

For all my life horizons I will seek,
With road below, and bluest skies above,
Until the time when I have grown too weak
To reach those far off places that I love.

And when at last my spirit this world leaves,
Don't lock me in some tomb deep underground,
But let me rest out where my soul can breathe
And feel the beauty that lies all around.

So lay me out, uncovered, 'neath the sky
In forest, valley, or on hills so tall
And there for ever after I shall lie
Where I may hear, and heed, horizon's call.

Penned by my hand on the 16th of Fas, in the year 443 AD.