Comes The Dawn
by  Veronica A. Shoffstall

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 aren't promises

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up
And your eyes ahead,
With the Grace of a Woman,
Not the grief of a child

And you learn to build all of 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.

And you learn that
you really *can* endure...
That you really *are* strong...
And that you really *do* have worth.
And you learn and you learn...
With every goodbye you learn.
         ~*~*~*~