Fingers locked
like gentle drawstrings,
held with just enough strength to remain
He smiled
at the radiant look
on his husband's face
His heart gave a quick lurch in his chest
that brought tears to his eyes,
but he wasn't sad
He loved him,
remembered the days
when his days were made dull
and when he wasn't nearly enough,
remembers quiet frustration
that melts away in the sands of time
'I love you'
is just a thought right now
though he's let it leave his lips more than once
The quiet was just enough right now.