Healing

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
always 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 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
& decorate your own soul
instead of waiting
for someone to bring you
flowers.

and you learn
that you really can endure
and you keep learning
with every goodbye
you learn.

h.b.