You Learn

by Anonymous author. Modified by 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 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 a while you learn...
That even sunshine burns if you get 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 learn...

With every good-bye you learn.

Sort by date Sort by score

Enable comment auto-refresher

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

CarolynSue

13 months ago

Score 0

This poem was in a book that my grandmother owned with many other poems by the same author I am trying right now to find either the book or the author's name but the two listed that seem to get credit are not the original authors. The original author that wrote this has many other great works I'm now 37 years old and I have read these for the first time when I was maybe seven. I am so happy that somebody else realize that this was not the original author thank you!

Permalink | Reply

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Anonymous (dcbc585a3f)

6 months ago

Score 0

It is by Spanish poet Jorges Luis Borges.

Permalink

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

CarolynSue

13 months ago

Score 0

Merrit Malloy. This is the Author, as far as i know, of the collection of amazing poems i have always cherished. I remember holding the book in my hand when i was younger.

Permalink | Reply

Add your comment

ImmortalPoetry welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.