[Kätzchen]

After A While


After a while, you learn the subtle difference

between holding a hand and chaining a soul

And you learn the 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 a woman

and 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 somebody to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure

that you are really strong and that you really do have worth.

And you learn and you learn,

with every goodbye you learn.

by Veronica A. Shoffstall (1971)