After a While
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
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 open,
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And 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.
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 really can endure…
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and learn…
With every goodbye, you learn.
8 Comments
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randombitsoftrialanderror
March 15, 2018 at 11:03 amI love, love, love this poem. I had it tacked up on my desk at work for years and read it every single day–and it gave me strength to leave an abusive marriage and be a strong role model for my daughter. The words are powerful. I’d forgotten it–I guess the words are just a part of me after so many years. Seeing your post brought back those hard years and made me thankful that I survived and thrived. ‘With the grace of a woman, and not the grief of a child.” Thanks for sharing. Dawn
Katie
March 17, 2018 at 12:35 pmWow, that’s quite a story tacked onto this poem. The words ARE powerful. They fit into so many different life situations. I’m so glad you were able to glean so much courage and surface triumphant!
FitinStilettos
March 16, 2018 at 9:43 amHey- I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award 🙂
https://fitinstilettos.com/2018/03/16/the-sunshine-blogger-award/
Katie
March 17, 2018 at 12:35 pmThank you so much! That’s very thoughtful of you 😘
Padmasandhya
March 20, 2018 at 12:18 amSuch a beautiful poem!
Katie
March 22, 2018 at 9:29 amI agree. So many layers to it!
Jerry Peri
March 23, 2018 at 12:37 pmThis poem is not only beautiful, it inspires!
Katie
March 26, 2018 at 12:23 pmIt is truly inspiring. I love how it speaks to those deeply emotional moments in ones life.