Something to make you think . . .

COMES THE DAWN

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love 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 all your

roads

On today because tomorrow's ground

Is too uncertain. 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

With every goodbye you learn.

-Veronica A. Shoftstall