[greeneyedlady]

AFTER A WHILE



After a while you learn the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul

and 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 a woman not the grief of a child

and you learn to build all your roads on today

because tomorrows 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 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 Veronica A Shoffstall