Comes The Dawn
By Veronica A. Shoffstall
After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
You learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
and company doesn’t mean security.
You begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
and presents aren’t promises.
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.
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.
You learn that you really can endure,
that you really are strong, and you really do have worth.
You learn and learn, with every goodbye you learn.