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 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 a woman not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all of 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 can endure…
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and learn….
With every good-bye you learn