Thursday 4 February 2021

After a while...


 I first came across this poem when I was 16. The words ring as true today as they did then.

You Learn

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

Jorges Luis Borges

Back tomorrow.

Arilx

7 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Through experience and by trial and error mainly! Arilx

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  2. Thank you for that poem, Aril. It spoke to my condition, as the Quakers say. And I hadn't realized Borges wrote such things; I must look for more.

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    Replies
    1. I don't know any of his other poems and it's only been recently that I have known who wrote the poem. Arilx

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  3. Thanks for posting, Lovely poem - have sent to my two daughters in their 20's - Jane xxxxx

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    Replies
    1. I hope that your daughters enjoy it. It seems to be particularly pertinent at this time. Arilx

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  4. Thanks for posting - have sent to my two daughters in their twenties, lovely poem - jane xx

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