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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 held up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads 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 can really endure
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn . . .
With every goodbye you learn.
--Veronica A. Shoffstall
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