After a while – 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…

Published in: on May 6, 2007 at 12:14 pm Comments (13)

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13 Comments Leave a comment.

  1. On May 6, 2007 at 1:36 pm Leoplodine Said:

    I did read it with a big smile
    as u were sending a message to me :)

    Thank you

  2. On May 6, 2007 at 4:33 pm nerro Said:

    INTERESTING..you know what; I was actually cleaning up my mailbox and I found it..felt like it is a message addressed to me, it hit a nerve keda..and the timing could ‘ve never been better. I read it and post with a big smile bardo. Pleasure.

  3. On May 6, 2007 at 4:34 pm nousha Said:

    thanks for sharing,
    I especially liked the part:
    “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.”

  4. On May 6, 2007 at 5:14 pm Lasto adri *Blue* Said:

    “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.”

    nerro… love this one

  5. On May 7, 2007 at 8:44 am nerro Said:

    Nousha: you are welcome :D

    Blue: I love this part awi kaman

  6. On November 4, 2007 at 3:37 pm Me Said:

    I liked what you wrote and it mirrors your inner beauty and sensitivity to life circumstances.

    all the best.. :)

  7. On December 4, 2007 at 1:10 pm After a while - Veronica A. Shoffstall « Mermaid’s Sea Said:

    [...]  After a while – Veronica A. Shoffstall [...]

  8. On September 14, 2008 at 2:35 pm William Said:

    I would really like someone to explain this poem to me. I wish I could understand it. My good friends received it and do not know what to make of it, and it seems I cannot help. Please?

  9. On October 17, 2008 at 9:53 am Crista Perry Said:

    I know and admire Ms. Shoffstalls work. To me, personally, in all the love and loss I have endured, transcended and ultimately benefitted from the experiences of; it represents the loss of the child-like innocence we cling to and the transition that opens our eyes to in part, that we live and love with no guarantees and in doing so step by painful step we begin to realize the possibilities of our own self-worth. We proceed with a different sense of passion and purpose; a bit older, wiser – battered but not broken. Wounded but wiser.

    One of my own works (inspired by the gift of Ms. Shoffstall) after the break up of my marriage of 24 years, I wrote, in part “Snow white is really dead; and Cinderella still sweeps cinders as there is no prince to wed.” My efforts pale in comparison to hers; I am older, wiser, and crippled due to the negligence of another uninsured driver.

    The one love in my life is reading and appreciating the contributions of works by others. There are some questions I would love to ask her, if I could and had an opportunity to:

    You wrote this compelling work at the tender age (to me it seems) of 19. What brought forth such an incredible work. What event or evolution inspired you, so young, to bring forth something from the obvious pain and triumph of your very soul and spirit.

    Have you written any works since then that are published and could be shared. If so, what are the names of the books or works and what is the possibility that an older and wiser crippled lady could obtain an autographed copy. I am a collector and would treasure the possibility of this to add to my extensive collection that will be passed on to friends and family deserving of same.

    Kindest regards, J. Crista Perry

    cristaperry517@yahoo.com

  10. On November 21, 2008 at 2:29 am misteca Said:

    i first read this when i was 19; i was amazed. thought i was mature to understand all the meanings at that young age myself.
    years later, i stumbled on it again, and it hit me so hard that it is so unbelievingly true!
    ‘Life in a nutshell’ i call it :)

  11. On November 23, 2008 at 5:18 pm nerro Said:

    it sure is :)

  12. On January 17, 2009 at 12:43 am Rodrigo Said:

    Amazing!
    I cry everytime when I read this poem

  13. On April 5, 2009 at 5:16 pm DEBI Said:

    THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL POEM I HAVE EVER READ, SO MUCH THAT IT ALMOST HAUNTS ME ( ESP ON THE DARK DAYS OF MY ALMOST 25 YR OLD MARRIAGE)

    THANK YOU VERONICA :)


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