Silent Suffering

Lately when I see you

it feels like 

there is something wrong

that you aren’t telling anyone

like you are trying

to do the noble thing

by not letting me worry

alongside you

Whatever it is

we could fight it together

even if we both know

there’s not much I can offer

perhaps a hug

a prayer

a massage

a cup of tea

while we laugh 

and tell the old stories

of where we’ve been

and what we’ve seen

Now that I think of it

we should do more of that

whether or not

you’re in silent suffering

so call me

I’ll bring Chinese food 

some jazz records

some wine

and we’ll be OK for a while.

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   June 2014