to be with you

i could have chosen to watch a movie, 
i chose to watch you, 
i chose to hear your voice,
i chose to think about your smile, 
your eyes, their light, 
the smile in them, your delight, 
your laugh

i chose to try to make you happy, 
to feel for you by being here for you, 
for my sin against you to atone,
make things right,
for to lessen the bite of either of us being alone

i could have chosen to play tennis or road bike to there and back
but i chose to watch you
to look into your face and you into mine
to spend time with you and dine
a simple meal made just for you

i chose to hold your hand in the freezing cold
on our walk from the car to the mall
to hear your dreams,
your plans of old
like fine gold your hair was spun
it flowed around your cheeks and ears in the blowing wind
i sheltered you with my arm as i guided you around the walkway
you laughed and burrowed deep into my chest
you made me feel strong and tall

I chose to watch over you with your hair turned grey, 
your arthritic hands and limping walk
i choose to put you first before my needs,
what good is it to live without you?
what good is it to live free and die?