After a While (You Learn) - Veronica A. Shoffstall

[mirmusing.livejournal.com]

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 are not 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 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…

Comments

do you know?

[rainebm1185.livejournal.com]

can you tell me where this was published? i've always seen it titled as, "you learn." but i've also seen a few different variations and different authors, but have never been able to find the original to verify.

After a While (You Learn)

[mirmusing.livejournal.com]

is the full title - written in 1971 in Portuguese originally - so the variants are presumably from the translations. M

[http://users.livejournal.com/--fasterfaster/]

I needed this today, thank you.

[mijeli.livejournal.com]

Interesting.. I read the last three lines on a PostSecret card years ago, and had no idea they were from a poem. Unless, of course, it was a coincidence :) Thanks for sharing!

[kaishin108.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this! It was just read in my Expressive Arts Group a few weeks ago :)

[singer-shaper.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this!

[mychocotango.livejournal.com]

Oh wow..