He Never Told Her

                HE NEVER TOLD HER
Searching his eyes for a glimmer of love,
She smiled up at him with adoring eyes.
She was a beautiful bride;
But he never told her.

She enticed him with her culinary skills,
Desperately seeking approval.
Her efforts delighted him;
But he never told her.

Called away on weekend business,
He discovered the love note tucked inside his briefcase.
It made him feel special;
But he never told her.

She took great pains with her appearance,
Hungry for his compliments.
He thought she was beautiful;
But he never told her.

She nursed his ailing parents through their aged years,
Never considering her own desires.
He appreciated the sacrifice;
But he never told her.

Through a lengthy illness she loved him back to health,
Ever at his side.
He could not have made it without her;
But he never told her.

She grew despondent as the years passed.
The smile faded from her eyes.
He knew he should say the words she longed to hear;
But he never told her.

She yearned to tell him of the pain--the loneliness in her heart.
But he sought solitude.
She wondered if she existed in his eyes. How could she know?
He never told her.

Tears streaming down his face, dripped on a cold, granite stone,
Marking a fresh grave.
He wept, alone--empty, regretting the words
That he never told her.