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 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 open
with grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
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 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.
An you learn and learn...
with every goodbye you learn.




- 1972 veronica a. shoffstall -




Without writing, words, poems and stories we don't have a language, I get that's stating the obvious but it's widely expressive, a way to churn your thoughts and opinions in solitude, a release for the inner mind and conscious. It's a silent way for the scribe and reader to connect, relate and differ through the raw honesty and beauty within the written word.

I came across part of this poem, in quotes above, and it was a lesson and realisation all within a mere 4 seconds of reading it. I come across a vast amount of empowering and thought provoking quotes and passages as an avid reader, and being totally honest some really frighten me, they're too tough and bold, leaving you in denial for a bit till the truth and understanding sinks in. Tough love can be great, but sometimes it just won't stick in the persons head, at least not as lovingly or quickly, yet something like the mini passage I read above, eased it's way to my mind no problem, leaving me feeling uplifted and accepting rather than attacked and forced.

Shocked I was, when I realised it was only a few lines I'd read from a poem written in the 70's by Veronica A. Shoffstall, and it is quite literally everything you wish you had heard or read when you were a child growing up, through all the ups and downs and it is definitely worth a read.