An Interesting Poem I Refound
If you know to whom credit for this bit of poesy goes to, please let me know. The photocopy I have doesn’t have have the poet’s name on it at all. This was given to me while I was taking a workshop called “Effectiveness Training” while I was still a service user at Tamara’s House. Part of the two hour (for 8 weeks) sessions was about claiming our own issues and letting go of other people’s issues. This was a part of that particular day’s work.
EDIT: Thanks to dear Mush there is now credit for the poem:
By: Veronica Shoffstall, 1971
After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand
And chaining a soul
And you learn…
That love doesn’t mean owing
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 ahead
With the grace of a man or 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 alling down in mid-flight
After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns
If you ask too much
So you plant your 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 goodbye
You learn…….