A Poem by Veronica A. Shoffstall

This poem was given to me by a friend when I felt very very alone. I found some of my journals today and read them. In the journals were my ups, downs, trials and tribulations. Concerts, dances, love, betrayal (not just by the boyz, but also my own betrayals), let-downs, happy times and sad times.

I found these writings to be so incredibly honest and poignant, given the gift of perspective that I happen to enjoy now.

After so much loss, what the hell choice do you have but to just. move. On.

So, this poem is not written by me (I wish I had that gift!). It is written by a sage soul, Veronica A. Shoffstall.

It's called:

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 leaving

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 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 fight

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. . . . . . .