Painful Goodbyes

After a While

A poem about growing through the pain of goodbyes

After a while
you learn
the subtle difference between holding a hand
and chaining a soul
and you learn love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't always promises
and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up
and your eyes ahead
with the grace of a adult,
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 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,
you really are strong,
and you really do have worth.
And you learn,
and you learn, and you learn,
with every good-bye
you learn.

~~Author Unknown~~