"International Woman's Day" 8 March 2006

To all true ladies..

After a while..
- by Sappho.


After a while, you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaIning a soul,
And you learn that love doesnt't mean leaning
And company doesnt't mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses arent't contracts
And present aren't promises.
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 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 storng
And your really do have worth.
And you learn and learn..
With every goodbye you learn.

HAPPY WOMAN'S DAY