Comes the Dawn

— Jo Anne Kurman

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 up

and your eyes open 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 the future has 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 have worth,

And you learn and you learn. . .

With every goodbye

With every sunrise,

Comes the dawn.