Comes The Dawn

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 defests
       With your head up and your eyes open


With the grace of a woman,not the frief of a child,
       And you learn to build all you roads on today


Because tomorrow's ground is to 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 to much


So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
     Instead of waiting for somebody to bring you flowrs.


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 goodbye you learn....

Author unknown
                                   I still carry  the above poem with me, as I have for many years
                              As I go about laying down the stepping stones through life's gardens.