After Awhile

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesnt mean learning and company doesnt mean security
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents arent 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 you learn to build your hope on today
As the future has a way of falling apart in mid-flight Because tomorrow's ground can be Too uncertain for plans
Yet each step taken in a new direction creates a path Toward the promise of a brighter dawn.
And you learn that even sunshine burns If you get too much
So you grow your own garden And you nourish your own soul Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

And you learn that Love, True Love, Always has joys and sorrows Seems ever present, yet is never quite the same Becoming more than Love and less than Love So difficult to define.
And you learn that through it all You really can endure That you really are strong That you do have value And you learn and grow With every good-bye You learn.


Veronica A. Shoffstall