beautiful.

After Awhile

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 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 are strong

and that you really do have worth

And you learn and you learn

with every goodbye you learn...

~ ©1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall

H/T Anna

--
"Democrats are sexy. Whoever heard of a good piece of elephant?"