for all struggling with relationships, feels appropriate right now

[Dee]

When I was 17 and going through the court system, my court advocate gave me this poem.  It was clipped out of a newspaper.  I still have that same clipping today.

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 defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
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 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 are strong,
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn...
With every goodbye you learn.

Author: Veronica Shoffstall

[Three Roses]

Beautiful, I'm saving this. Thanks!

[sanmagic7]

quite lovely, dee.  timely, indeed.  thanks for posting.  plant my own garden, grow my own flowers, and wear them in my hair with or without permission, acknowledgment, acceptance, or style of the day.  flowers are always in style, in my mind, and that's really the only place it counts.  this was great for bolstering my confidence in letting go of someone that i really don't need anymore.  perfect!