You Learn by Jorge Luis Borges translated by Veronica A Shoffstall PoetrySpokenCOM

“You Learn” by Jorge Luis Borges
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.

[@duncanburl7586]

I was in a dark place. My nephew gave me this same poem. This has so much, meaning. I thank ,God and my nephew for giving me the courage and the strength . It's deep. Powerful and truth. Thank you!

[@Dragonalynn]

Oh My God!!! You are marvelous! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and streaming down my cheeks. You have taken this beloved favorite poem of mine and have done it with honor. I cannot thank you enough. I'm thrilled. Your reading is fabulous, just as it ought to be read. Again, thank you so much. Thank you for humoring an old lady. I've saved it and will savor it many times over.

[@Veronicapoet]

That was incredible, Seth: so much depth and feeling. So many layers of emotion and experience with each spoken line.

[@lilliannieswender266]

Thank you so much for this beautiful and truthful poem Seth. It was just what I needed to hear today.

[@PoetrySpokencom]

Glad to hear, Lillian : ) I loved reading it.

[@zudaure9140]

Beautiful!

[@PoetrySpokencom]

Thank you, Zu : )

[@NandikaBhide]

You recit poem very nicely

[@PoetrySpokencom]

thank you for that, Chinmay! It is a beautiful poem to read.

[@NandikaBhide]

Good night