After a While..


After a while, you learn the subtle
difference
Between holding a hand and chain-
ing a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean
leaning
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses
aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,
And you begin to accept you defeats
With your head up and your eyes
open
With the grace of a woman, not the
grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads
on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too
uncertain for plans.
And futures have a way of falling
down in mid-flight.
After a while, you learn
That even the sunshine burns if you
get too much.
So you plant you own garden and
decorate you own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to
bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can en-
dure…
That you really are strong.
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn…
With every goodbye you learn.


-Veronica A. Shoffstall