“After a While”

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 always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren’t contracts and parent’s aren’t promises
and you begin to accept your defeats with you head held up high and your 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 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 flower.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn…– Veronica A. Shoffstall

Very poignant. Words people need to read and take solace in.