Comes the Dawn, Veronica Shorffstall

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 promises
and presents aren’t contracts…..

and you begin to accept defects
with your head up and your eyes open
with the grace of a woman
not the grief of a child…..

and you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrows ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid flight…..
after a while you learn that even the sun burns if you get too much…..

so you plan your own garden and decorate your 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…..
with every goodbye you learn.