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 see your defeats
With your head up and 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
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.
Veronica Schoffstall