You learn the difference, subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t always mean security
And you begin to learn that kisses arent contracts
And presents arent promises

And you begin to accept your defeat
With you head held up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of an adult 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 midflight

After a while…
You learn that even sunshine burns - if you get too much
So 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

Veronica A. Snoffstall

¶ 1:59:00 am