After Awhile

After awhile 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 held up and your eyes open
With the grace of an adult
Not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all of your roads on today.
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain.
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 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 that you really do have worth
And you learn…and you learn
With every goodbye you learn.

Goodbye Josh.