AFTER AWHILE 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 ahead with the grace of a woman or a man,
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.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you ask 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, you learn.. with every goodbye
you learn.........