Comes The 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 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 high
and your eyes
ahead with the grace of a woman
and 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 the middle
of 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 ...
1971 by Veronica A. Shorffstall