Stronger

He's a lot stronger than me,
he's never taken off his wedding ring,
it's worn him now for birthdays past, these
days that keep on turning.

And he never broods or snaps, not once.
Though who could blame him if he did?
He doesn't bring up painful conversation,
to aide the pain that's surely hid.

And while we slice birthday cake,
my presents passed around.
I look at quiet Grandpa,
he smiles but doesn't make a sound.

I wonder how he misses her,
and I wonder what it's like,
to celebrate a birth, on the day he lost his wife.
And he's much stronger than I would be.
He forgoes his pain for me.