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 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 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 you 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 goodbye you learn.
Veronica A. Shoffstall
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 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 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 you 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 goodbye you learn.
Veronica A. Shoffstall