He Never Said

He never said
“I love you.”

It didn’t really matter
To Angie
As this is the way
Her father was
Ever since she was small.

He didn’t
Have to utter
The words
As he spoke
Them through
His actions.

His version
Was the band aid
And ice cream
After a stumble or two
In the backyard.

Or the hugs
That was a second
Or two longer
Than what is expected.

Evenings spent
Staring at the stars,
Talking of the past
And the future
And everything in between.

Angie’s father never said
“ I love you,”
But he showed her
That he did every day.