Growing Into After A While

When I was a young, angst filled teenager I found a poem in the Ann Landers column of the newspaper. This poem was Comes The Dawn or After A While by Veronica Shoftstall
                                           

Even then I found the poem gripping and impacting... but I was like a toddler in her mother's shoes...I had yet to grow into the full meaning of the words.

                                           

For some reason certain lines have resonated with me recently..once when I woke up a few weeks ago to see Jasmine skating before the sun had risen...you plant your own garden, and decorate your own soul..
 One  day I watched  'the end of an era' with the horses that had boarded here...with every good bye you learn..

When my daughter phones me from her apartment in the city to discuss her future plans..
you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul..

                                                      

Words that grounded and etched their mark on my life,
The other morning I sat down and penned my own After A While..because now it really is after a while...

After a while you learn that love's give and take is worth it
and even though you make old mistakes, you learn they are a bridge to new lessons .
After a while you learn to expect some clouds and you are grateful for the shadows that come into your life.

After a while you learn to risk and try.. and you learn to drive in the city, and water ski and knit, and sing loudly sometimes, and love unconditionally.
After a while you learn the only person you can change is yourself,and it too is worth it.
After a while you learn to forgive sooner than you thought possible, and you learn to treat not only others but your own soul with dignity.
                                                                          

After awhile  you learn that grace is a flame that must never be quenched.
and flowers and gardens  grow where they are planted and tended.
After a while you learn that kisses and presents can't replace devotion and communication, and that beauty found in diversity defeats the trap of comparison.

After a while you learn you can always give a little more than you thought possible...
and wait a little longer than you knew you could.
and you never stop learning the meaning of good bye, but also hello 
and you keep believing in a future brimming with  possibility.                                                                  

To read the original After A while and a beautiful sequel click here.