This Man (for Ric)

I watch him sometimes

He doesn’t know I’m there

I see everything on his face

His endless list of things to do

The weight he carries

The worry he feels

This life can be so hard

I can’t shield him from that

And it hurts my heart

To see pain in his eyes 

I watch him, this man

And I can only love him

With all that I am

And hope that will be enough

To ease his burdens

As he works to ease mine