I re-discovered some words I treasure.

I found it during my recent spot of decluttering. It was hidden among the multitude of notes, notices, reminders and other bits of paper on my desk. (There! My secret is out. I LOVE paper, I do …)

The poem first showed up in my life more than twenty years ago. Since then, it has popped up from time to time.

Having found it again, I did a little research to find out who the author was. Veronica A. Shoffstall is the most accredited author.

However, it may have originally been written in Spanish by Jorge Luis Borges, an author from Argentine.

There is also someone called Judith Evans who claims to be the author, never had it copyrighted and was quite happy for it to be published under  ‘Author Unknown.’

Unsurprisingly, the poem goes by various names: ‘Comes the Dawn’, ‘After a while’ and ‘You Learn.’ The truth, as ever, is out there somewhere waiting to be discovered, but not by me, I am happy to say.

These words touched me deeply when I first found them and still touch me now. I hope you enjoy them too.

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.

You 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 or stand too long in one place.

So you plant your own 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.

You learn that with every goodbye comes the dawn.