Poems Submitted by Our Readers

After a while you learn the subtle difference between
	holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn mean learning and
	company doesn mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren contracts
	and presents aren promises,
And you begin to accept your  defeat with your head
	up and you eyes open, with the grace of an adult,
	not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all you roads on today
	because tomorrow ground is too uncertain for
	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 else to bring you
	flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth.

Veronica A. Shoffstall