It takes a while to learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and shackling a soul
That love doesn’t mean reciprocity
And company doesn’t always mean security.
It takes a while to learn
That kisses aren’t contracts
And promises merely artifacts
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
After a while you learn
To build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is
Too uncertain for plans
And the futures have a plight
Of falling down stairs mid flight
After a while you learn
That even the Sun can shine too brightly
And burn your bones
So you plant your own garden
Instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers.
After a while you learn
That you really can endure
That you are really strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and learn
With every lesson you have earned.
