After Awhile

After awhile 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 you head up and

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 and futures

have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After awhile 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.

  by: Veronia A. Shaffstall