After a while

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between triumph in a battle and winning a war,
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because you never know what will happen tomorrow.

After a while you learn that
even sunshine burns if you get too much.
And you learn to 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.