After Awhile

After awhile
you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand
and chaining a soul
and you lean 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 always promises
and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and 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 awhile 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.

Veronica A. Shoffstall