“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 always 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 you really do have worth. and you learn
and you learn
with every good-bye you learn.”