The first time I saw this poem, had to be back in about 1990 or so. It changed my life. I could recite it word for word, like a chant, meditation, or my own personal prayer. I came across it again, started reading it and was surprised...I still remember, like it's engrained in me. It's powerful.
We are never done learning, and some of life's lessons are hard ones, but we become stronger because of them.
Maybe one of you can benefit from reading this as well.
As for me? I'm still learning...
After A While
by Veronica A. Shoffstall
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 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 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
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...
