In All I Do

by Gail Coupland

I didn’t say

I love you

today,

But I smiled at an old man

who looked lonely.

He took my hand

in his unraveled mitten

And asked that God might bless me.

I knew he was giving me

a far greater gift

than the tinsel-wrapped boxes

under the tree.

He had nothing else to give.

I thanked him for his kindness

and wished him a Merry Christmas.

He walked away

taller and straighter than before.

I didn’t say

I love you

today,

But an old man knows

I do.