After a While

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t always mean security

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead 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.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure

that you really are strong

and you really do have worth

And you learn and you learn
with every
goodbye you learn . . .

Veronica A. Shoffstall
Submitted by Barbara Cowdy

Reprinted by permission of Veronica A. Shoffstall. ©1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall.