jorge luis borges


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 always promises



and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head high
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 someon 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 lear and you learn


with every goodbye you learn