After awhile you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining soul.

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't mean security.
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 open,
with the grace of a adult,
not the grief of a child,

and you learn to build your roads on today,
for 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 YOU
really do have worth!

And you learn....and you learn...
with every good-bye
you learn!

~JoAnn Lenhoff~