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 your roads on today;
because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

And 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 can really endure…

you really are strong…

you really do have worth…

and you learn
and you learn…

with every goodbye, you learn.

-Veronica A. Shoffstall