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Home / Etcetera / Comes the Dawn

Comes the Dawn

Etcetera, Momma Love

Do you remember this poem? My friend Ellen gave me a burnt-edged copy of it in high school, and I’ve loved its simple profundity ever since.

 

Today’s a good day to read it again.

 

Comes The Dawn

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 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.

And you learn and learn…

With every goodbye you learn.

 

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January 24, 2011 · 11 Comments

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Comments

  1. Ginger says

    January 24, 2011 at 10:54 am

    Wow that brought back memories. My mom gave me that poem in high school, and I hadn’t thought of it in years but I know it’s tucked away in my high school “keep” box.

    Thank you for the reminder.

    Reply
  2. Jenn Sullivan says

    January 24, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    I hadn’t ever read this poem, but I LOVE it! I think it should be posted in my house and also in daughter’s room as she is at the right age for this. How great. Am printing it now…

    Reply
  3. Sugar Jones says

    January 24, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    I love you for posting this. Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Red Lotus Mama says

    January 24, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I have never read that poem, but it is really lovely! Thank you so much for sharing it!

    Reply
  5. Trish says

    January 24, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    Beautiful.

    Reply
  6. Michelle, Muffin Tin Mom says

    January 24, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    thank you for posting this. so beautiful.

    Reply
  7. Ferd says

    January 24, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Wonderful poem. So beautifully done!
    You have to go through a lot of pain and many “goodbyes” to be that wise.
    If we could only learn by reading it!

    Reply
  8. green girl in wisconsin says

    January 25, 2011 at 7:50 am

    Oh my, I’m 16 again. Forgot all about that poem!

    Reply
  9. Trish says

    January 26, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    Used to have that on my fridge. And I have passed it on to many. Glad you found it.

    Reply
  10. Sugar Jones says

    February 2, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    I can’t read this enough. I should print it and post it somewhere… but I just love coming to visit you. :)

    Reply
  11. Sugar Jones says

    May 23, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    I come by and read this every now and then. So glad you posted it when you did.

    Reply

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