Barry L. Casey

No Regrets

He was the strong, the silent one, 
carrying no dry cliches 
about aloneness as manliness.

The pain was a shard of ice in his heart;
it stilled his voice and dropped his gaze.
Quietly, he made his decision.

This girl: he would send her back home
without touching her. Save her from the
whispered looks, corrosive laughter — or worse.

Then came the dreams … the angel’s words …
he could recall them all as if etched in fire: 
“Do not be afraid to take her as your wife …”

He loved her in his silence; she was quick
and unafraid. He matched her confidence
with trust. They would together find their way.

Four dreams defined his life: 
Take her to wife, take them to Egypt, 
return to Judea, settle in Nazareth.

Then he exits stage left and we are left
to see him, a silent man without pretense,
stolid and strong behind his Mary.