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.
(kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises)

And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head held high and your eyes wide open,
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.

You learn to build your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain
and the inevitable has a way of crumbling in mid-flight.

After awhile you learn that even sunshine burns
if you stand too long in one place.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn you really can endure,
And you really do have worth.

You learn that
with every good-bye comes the dawn.