The Subtle Difference

    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

    With the grace of a man, 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 sunshine burns if you get too much.


    So you plant your 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… 


    With every good-bye you learn…

— You Learn 
— by Jorge Luis Borges