1 YOU LEARN

Riki's home, Castoff (174.082,186.995,22.3389)

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 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.