The Milkmaid Of Bordeaux,1825-27 Poem by Raj Arumugam

one must pause to think
in between one's rounds and routine
the promise of delight, the reality of pain;
how far one has walked, one has wandered
how life has led one to where one rests
and what must lie ahead

one must pause to think
if there is hope,
if there is a light in the sky's distance
that hints of quiet;
to see again all that has passed
all that transpired
of one's will, and many unwanted

one hopes it will be better
as one has always dreamt
though time has weakened one's will
and the vision is indistinct