Poem by Laurel Lambert

"Ruined Bridge" by Edward S. Gault



Comes The Dawn

After a while you
learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and
chaining a soul, and you
learn that life doesn't mean
security and you begin to
accept your defeats with your
head up and your eyes open, with
the grace of a woman, not
the grief of a child. And
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
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 do have worth.
And you learn. With every
goodbye you learn.