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 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…

by Veronica A. Shoffstall