Comes the Dawn

COMES THE DAWN

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 not promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open,

With the grace of a woman/man

Not the grace of a child.

And you learn to build your roads on today

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans

And futures have a way of falling down in midflight.

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

And you really are strong

And you really do have worth

And you learn and you learn . . .

With every goodbye you learn.

Veronica Shorffstall