A Poem: Veronica A. Shoffstall

Found this amongst my papers, too.

From 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 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 the grace of a woman

Not the grief of a child

And you learn tho 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 learn

With every goodbye you learn.