I love him when he offers his gallant elbow, 
         eases grandma from her seat.
   I love him when he disciplines his dog,
         then offers his face for her to lap.
   I love him when he fusses with a fractured 
         pet iguana, pushes lettuce at its head.
   I love him when he cries at its death
         when he thinks no one can hear.
   I love him when he comes to sister’s rescue--
         to him no one quite her match.
   I love him when he calls from work
         just to say “I’ll call you right back.”
   I love him when he springs his latest paycheck
         just to savor someone’s smile of surprise.
   I love him when he tells a dirty joke
         man-to-man to pop.
   I love him when he runs his arm 
         around my shoulders, pressing me tight.
   I love him when he rubs my pate, 
         while I pat his stubbled scalp.
   I love him when he lets me brush his cheek, 
         almost ready for a shave.
   I love him when I hear his call at night
         knowing it’s my son.