You Learn

I had come across this poem years ago and it really resonated with me at the time. Today, as I stumble upon it again, I still have a wonderful connection with it. There are so many lessons woven through her words, that can be of comfort during difficult times, times when we need to live in the moment and not where we have been or hope to go, times when we need to be reminded how resilient we really are.

Comes The Dawn by Veronica Shoffstall

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 ahead,
with the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child,
and you learn to build all of 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 do have worth.
And you learn and you learn...
With every goodbye you learn.