After a While

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 always 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


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 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.