Comes the Dawn


"Comes the Dawn" is a deeply moving poem

This beautiful poem came my way in the early '90s from a dear friend and still holds such a wonderful meaning. It resonates with profound lessons of life and love and beautifully distinguishes between the superficial gestures of affection and the complex realities of sharing life with another. 

The poem emphasizes that love is not about possession or superficial measures of security, but about understanding, acceptance, and personal growth.

I still have an original copy from a Dear Abby newspaper clipping copyrighted in 1987. The author is Joy Whitman. 

I've read it countless times at the end of yoga classes. May it bring you peace and serenity today!

Comes the Dawn 
by Joy Whitman 1987

After a while, you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and sharing a life

and you learn that love doesn't mean possession
and company doesn't mean security
and loneliness is universal

And you learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents 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 your hope on today
as the future has a way of falling apart in mid-flight
because tomorrow`s ground can be too uncertain for plans

yet each step taken in a new direction creates a path
toward the promise of a brighter dawn

And you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much

so you plant your own garden
and nourish your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers

And you learn that love, true love
always has joys and sorrows
seems ever present, yet is never quite the same
becoming more than love and less than love
so difficult to define

And you learn that through it all
you really can endure
that you really are strong
that you do have value

and you learn and grow
with every goodbye
you learn