
"After A While" by Veronia A. Shoffstall
This poem was first published in her college yearbook in 1971 and her imagery leads you from the feeling of grief to a place of inner strength. 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 doesn't always 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 e