Bell Hooks. Ntozake Shange. Mya Angelou. Alexyss Tylor. Naomi Wolf.
The author of this... :
"After awhile...
.. 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 an adult
and 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.
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."