After A While

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 

always mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't 

always 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 your roads on today because tomorrow's ground

is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down 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 good-bye you learn.

~Veronica A. Shoffstall