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Comes the Dawn
by Yolanda White

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn 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 awhile 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 that you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn …
With every good bye you learn.

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