After a While

I seem to be straying away from book banter a bit, but ever since I went home for a visit this past weekend, I've been "reflecting" on stuff, a lot, I guess you could say. (And words, lyrics, poems fascinate me almost as much as books! :) I had kinda disturbing dream last night (the ones where you wake up and wonder why in the world your brain could possibly dream something like that, and it involved a person I would certainly not consciously chose to dream about). Anyways, as I checked a few of my favorite blogs this morning, I came across this poem that, like yesterday's song lyrics, struck me.

After A While by Veronica A. Shoffstall
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 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-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.