After Awhile
After awhile you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaving
And that company doesn't mean serenity.
You begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts,
That Presents aren't promises.
And you begin to accept defeats with the
Grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
With your head up and your eyes open.
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 midflight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own gardens and decorate
Your own soul instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
You learn that you really can endure
That you really are strong
That you really do have worth
And you learn and you learn
-Unknown
