After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
And you learn that love doesn't mean security.
You learn that people you love don't always love you in return.
And they'll make love to you just because you were there.
You realize that their caresses meant nothing to them
Your name on their lips with their release meaningless
And you feel hollow inside and used.
And you realize that, for a moment, the lie became the truth.
And you know that if they really loved you,
really loved you, they would tell you.
And you learn and you ache and you hurt because no matter what you do
You realize they are not going to love you.
You learn that whispers aren't promises
And their riddles aren't answers
And you grow tired of feeling second best.
You learn to cry at night in the darkness alone
So that noone can see you or know of your ache
And you plaster a smile on your face that you don't really feel.
And you cringe inside when people think you have it so together.
You begin to dry your tears and stop waiting by the phone
You begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief or actions of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain
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 don't have to be second best
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and learn
with every goodbye you learn.