Ought

You ought to rise with dawn's pale light,
Though bones insist on heavier weight.
You ought to smile, behave just right,
While inner storms debate their fate.

You ought to work, to strive, to climb,
To polished goals and set programmes.
You ought to spare a little time
For kin, for friends, for quiet dreams.

You ought to mend what's torn or frayed,
To voice the truth, however stark.
You ought to lend a helpful aid
Before it's truly getting dark.

But listen—when the duty's done,
And "ought" has had its final say—
The quiet joy begins to run
When want has slipped beneath the sway
Of all those "shoulds" that bind the feet:
Not what you ought to do—but what
Makes pulse and purpose lightly beat
Beyond the weight of what you ought.