You learn.

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn that love doesn't mean security
and you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises

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 your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain
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 else to bring you flowers
and you learn you really can endure
that you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn and you learn
with every good-bye you learn.