and so i learn

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love does not mean leaning
and company does not always mean security
And you begin to learn that kisses are not contracts
and presents are not promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of an adult, 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 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 you learn
with every goodbye you learn.

- Comes the Dawn.Veronica Shopstall