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.
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 or man
Not with the grief 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 mid-flight.
And after awhile you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate you own soul
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn
That you really can endure
That you really are strong
That you really do have worth.
And you learn
And you learn
With every failure
You learn.
by Veronica Shoffstall
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