Comes The Dawn

After awhile you learn

The subtle difference

Between holding a hand

And chaining a soul.

And you learn

That love does not mean leaning

And company

Does not mean security.

And you begin to learn

That kisses are not contracts

And presents are not promises

And you begin

To accept your defeats

With your head up

And your eyes open.

And learn to build all your roads

On today,

Because tomorrow’s ground

Is always shifting

And is too uncertain for plans,

And futures have

A way of falling down in mid flight.

After awhile 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 learn...

With every goodbye,

You learn.