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 an adult, 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 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...

© 1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall

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Veronica A. Shoffstall can be contacted
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'After A While'.



Thank you Peggy for advising me of the
correct name and author of the poem I posted
on this page as, Coming of Dawn.

The correct title of the poem originally
posted as 'Coming of Dawn' is
'After A While'

Thank you Peggy



I dedicate this page to two very special young men
Scott and Dan

We cannot go back and create a new beginning
but we can all begin today to create a new end.


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Thomas Kinkade art is used with permission.
Painting used - ' New Day Dawning'

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