AFTER A WHILE

AFTER A WHILE

After a while you learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and chaining a soul
And company doesn't always mean security

And you begin to learn
That lasses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes cohead
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 future's have a way
Of falling down in mid flight

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 are really strong
And you learn and you learn
With every good bye you learn

                                             Veronica A. Shoffstall