Learning- A poem

My Dad sent me this poem, as he did to Eve. I don’t know the source but love the sentiment.

Learning

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 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

And with the grace of an adult, not the

Grief of a child

And you learn to build your own roads today

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain

For your plans

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,

That you really are special,

And that you really do have a worth,

So live to learn and know yourself,

In doing so you will learn to live.