America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking
http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/
My gift to you today
is a poem,
After A While,
by Veronica A. Shoffstall.
I've loved one of Veronica's *quotes for years,
and just learned that it is a part of a longer poem.
"...*Plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting
for someone to bring you flowers..."
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| Yarrow planted in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
I searched for biographical information
about Veronica Shoffstall,
but did not find anything.
Her poem is a treasure.
I wish Veronica could tell us
the stories behind her wisdom.
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| Yarrow planted in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
My soul needs encouragement,
and maybe - just maybe -
your soul needs encouragement, too.
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| Yarrow planted in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
AFTER A WHILE
Poem by Veronica A. Shoffstall
Photos from Marcia's Garden
I actually took Veronica's advice,
and planted my own garden,
rather than waiting for someone to bring me flowers.
She's right.
It decorates my soul.
It decorates my soul.
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| Hydrangea potted plant in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
AFTER A WHILE
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 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.
And 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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| Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Knock-out roses along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Knock-out roses along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Knock-out roses, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Loriope - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Cottage Charm: Knock-out roses, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Loriope - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Red and Yellow Knock-out roses, Arborvitae, Boxwood - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Yellow Knock-out roses, Arborvitae, Boxwood - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Red Knock-out roses, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Red Yarrow - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Yellow and Red Knock-out roses, Arborvitae, Boxwood - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis in my side yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Red and Yellow Knock-out roses, Arborvitae, Boxwood - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Yellow Knock-out roses, Arborvitae, Boxwood - along street in my front yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis in side yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis climbs on bench/arbor in side yard. Copyright 2014 Marcia Norwood |
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| My Front Yard. Copyright 2011 Marcia Norwood |
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| My Front Yard. Copyright 2011 Marcia Norwood |
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| My Front Yard. Copyright 2011 Marcia Norwood |
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| Butterfly Bush. Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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| Butterfly Bush. Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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| Butterfly Bush. Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Clematis. Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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| Coneflower. Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Coneflower. Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Peony. Copyright 2009 Marcia Norwood |
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| Peony. Copyright 2009 Marcia Norwood |
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| Dogwood Tree in Front Yard. Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2008 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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| Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
Thanks for stopping by!
Come back often, and invite a friend!
Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking
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| Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood |
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