Veronica Shofftstall
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 eyes ahead
with the grace of a women, not the grief of 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 can really endure
you really are strong, you do have worth
and you learn...you learn...
with every goodbye, you learn...
