he empties the dishwasher every single
morning and makes the messy bed
rain or shine 
without ever being requested 

‘yes of course-go ahead’ he says 
when i want to try something new
add to my interests
express my talents
spend time with a friend

‘i have noticed that you might be tired’ 
he says, when i have done or felt too much
and am headed towards exhaustion
--long before i would have
noticed on my own

‘did you remember sunscreen?’ he asks
as we walk out the door for a day outside
even though he never needs it
but i do—and often forget

--some of the ways he says ‘i love you’ 
without even saying the words 

heather pound 2024

Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash