By Veronica Shoffstall
Date: 30 January 1999

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 held up 
and your eyes open
  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. . . 
  That you are really strong.
  And you really do have worth.
  And you learn and you learn. . . 
  With every goodbye, you learn.