I'm planting my own garden.

I was reminded of this poem this morning. Its truthfulness is strangely appropriate lately.

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 always 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 ahead
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 a while you learn
that even the 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 you learn
with every goodbye
you learn