A Poem I Didn’t Write…
but, wish I had.
Published by Jean August 6, 2007
Found it in a book called Kiss Me Like A Stranger by Gene Wilder.
“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 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 really are strong
and you really do have worth.
and you learn
and you learn
with every good-bye you learn.
good stuff, eh?
Yes. More later.
Jean, thank you for beautiful poem. From a “poetaster” 4 Gerard/Digest:
Youth
Have you seen at least once
A clear dawn in the Spring
Are you aware of one of
The most beautiful charms of nature
Nature awaking, yet virginal
Graceful charm, pure in everyway
Dewy herbs, shy flowers, meek babies
A prelude to the questions that will come
Have you heard the hymn of Nature
The songs the birds will sing
Simple pure joy to their Creator
First smile of daylight
In the absence of Man
(mare, dabbles in the babble)
Lovely, Mare.
Definitely good stuff.
I agree, Mary Ann.
p.s. the book is awesome, too. A memoir mostly about his life with Gilda Radner.