After A While

[littleblackboy]

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 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, and 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 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
you really are strong
and really do have worth
and you learn...
and you learn...
with every goodbye, you learn.