Comes the Dawn

One of my Young Women's leaders gave this poem to me years and years ago. It's helped me breathe easier when going through relationship rough times. After discussing a situation one of my friends was going through recently, I remembered the poem and thought I'd share it on my blog for anyone to whom this might give comfort and perspective. Wish I knew the author but it said anonymous.

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 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 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 you really do have worth

And you learn and learn...and you learn

With every goodbye you learn.