Comes The Dawn
By Veronica A. Shoffstall
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 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 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
can endure...
That you really are strong,
And you really do have
worth
And you learn and learn
with every goodbye you
Learn.
