Comes a Dawn
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 that
company doesn't mean security,
And you begin
to learn that kisses aren't contracts
And
that presents aren't promises,
And you
begin to accept your defeats
With
your head up and your eyes open,
With grace
of maturity, 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 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 and learn...
With every goodbye you learn.
Veronica
A. Shoffstall