This bit of free verse by Veronica Shoffstall is heavy on my mind today:
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 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.
And 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 really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and learn …
And with every goodbye, you learn.
And let me add my own line: After awhile you learn there is a difference between "helping" and "enabling".
5 comments:
The line you added has been seared into our souls here at our house. I think this is coming to a lot of people our age...at least that is what I hear from the grapevine.
Every word of that poem is so true. I can say that I've learned those lessons from experience. Building my roads on today is probably the most important to me. Thanks for sharing Mosie. 'On Ya' - ma
Very beautiful poem.
Lori
What a lovely entry & how true it is.
Oh, that's such a nice entry.
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