After A While
(alternate title - 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 
and your eyes ahead,
with the grace of a woman, 
not the grief of a child,
and you learn to build all of 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 do have worth. 
And you learn and you learn...
With every goodbye you learn.
by  Veronica A. Shoffstall