Saturday, January 3, 2009

After Awhile

I shared this with Deborah Woods but thought others might enjoy it. This poem has helped me through some rough spots more than once. I carry it in my wallet and pull it out a lot.

After A While

“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 isn’t security.
(Kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises.)
After awhile 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 your roads on today
because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain
and the inevitable has a way of crumbling in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you stand too long in one place.
So, you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone else to bring you flowers.
And you learn you really can endure,
that you really do have worth.
You learn that with every good-bye comes the dawn.”

By
Judith B. Evans

6 comments:

katie said...

beautiful, thank you for sharing...

chaetoons said...

Katie stole the words right out of my mouth. That's exactly what i was going to say!
Beautiful !!!
And thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Hugs
Chae

Jen Mecca said...

I use to have that poem hanging in my studio back at school. Its a good one. Thanks for the compliment about being a hero. I really laugh at that since most of the time I'm to tired to think of what I have done. You are a hero for raising such a great young women! Remember, I'm here on the tail end just thinking everyday how to make my three great, happy and unique little people!
Happy New Year. Can't wait to see how your pots come together this year!
Jen

Linda Starr said...

A lovely poem and thoughts to live by. Thanks.

Tracey Broome said...

Glad you guys liked the poem. Jen, thanks for the compliment on Wesley. She is an amazing child, and I marvel every day that I had anything to do with it! I think the most important thing I have done with her is to show her respect and to honor her opinions and judgments. I never treated her like a child but rather a small person and always try to find something to agree with her on. My mom and I have never agreed on one single thing and it is so frustrating. I think you are well on your way to having some pretty cool kids!

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Great words. Have always loved this. Thanks for reminding me of it!