after a while

after a while u learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand & chaining a soul

and u learn that love doesn't always mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security

and u begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises

and u begin to accept ur defeats
with ur head up & ur eyes ahead
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child

and u learn to build all ur roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans

after a while u learn that even sunshine burns
if u get too much

so u plan ur own garden & decorate ur own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring u flowers

and u learn that u really can endure
that u really are strong
and u really do have worth
and u learn..
and u learn..

with every good bye..
u learn...

-written by somebody who isn't me.