Comes the Dawn / After a While

After a while you learn the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaving

and company doesn't mean security




And you begin to understand that kisses aren't contracts

and presents aren't promises

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head held high

and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child




You learn to build your roads on today

because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans

and futures have a way of falling down in midflight

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

and that you really are strong

and you really do have worth

And you learn and learn and you learn ...



With every goodbye you learn.