Independence Day

This poem is one of my favourites.

Years ago, a woman that I worked with gave it to me, at a time in my life when I needed to hear it....some years after that I passed it on to a young girl who was probably the age I was when Ann first gave it to me.....it was her turn.....now I pass it on to you...

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 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 awhile 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 good bye

you learn.

Veronica Shoffstall 1971