MARIA MIRAGLIA

 

 

Pathway 

 

A Human Condition

You look back and

suddenly realize

how long has the path been

on which you have walked

the starting point so far away

that you can hardly recognise it

blurred by clouds and the veils of time

You try to take stock

some things about yourself make you proud,

much else you think you could have done better

and wish you could repair the wrongs you’ve done

forgive those you’ve suffered

but something tells you

that the conditions are no longer there

You find yourself in a time and space

that is no longer the same

many things no longer attract you

do not spark in you the same drive

as when your mind would fly to make plans

chasing dreams as if they were butterflies

 

Now you feel fragile and

your mind returns to

when for you the adventure began

at the dawn of your journey

traversed by lights and shadows

how eager you were to see

to know and to do,

and you set to work.

But now you know

you must reckon with time

which silently crosses the lives of men

with its eternal rhythm

and as the sun sets on the horizon

you feel like someone

in a dimly lit room

leafing through the last pages

of a human comedy

that at times

has stirred your passion

and at others has streaked your face with tears

and you ask yourself what the Author’s intent was

but you still haven’t understood.

 

MARIA A MIRAGLIA

 

Dr MARIA A MIRAGLIA is an Italian educationist, bilingual poet, translator, essayist, and ministerial lecturer for English language teachers. For a long time, she has been an active member of Amnesty International and several other peace organizations. She is the Literary Director of the P. Neruda Association and a member of several international editorial boards. The poet has received both national and international recognition and awards. Recently, she was elected a member of the European Academy of Science and Arts of Salzburg. Her latest work is Colourful Butterflies, also edited in her native language.