You Learn

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 understand
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't
promises...
and you begin to accept
your defeats
with your head held high
and your eyes open
with the grace of a woman
not the grief of a child...
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 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 learn
...and you learn.
With every goodbye, you learn.

I DIDN'T WRITE THIS....and I'm not quite sure who did, I can't remember but I love it!! So please do not vote for this poem to give me credit but feel free to write comments, thanks!