Learning

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 eyes open,
With the grace of a man, not the grief of a child,
And 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 have 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 person you meet or employ, you learn
With every friend or lover, you learn
With every goodbye, you learn.



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This one's from "The Speaking Tree" column of the TOI.