The Ring

This is about my second wife and I. There is a long story here that I don't delve into much in my poetry. This was written after we separated and I was involved with someone else for a short time.

We talked about it so early

I thought it was a sign

You seemed to care so deeply

As did I

I wanted that feeling to stay forever

So I took a chance on love

I bought you the ring you chose

But your heart seemed distant

Constantly judging me for my faults

Rarely a good thing to say

Always destroying

Moving through is like it was just another job

You always found blame in me

Yet I gave you the ring on hope of the future

But before we wed you stabbed me

Not in the back but rather my heart

Apologies flowed from your lips

Without action to back them

I still gave you a chance

Telling my instincts to quiet their protest

And so we wed that Halloween day

Things never changed

That was my blindness

My mistake

Even still you demanded change in me

No compromise or real compassion in your soul

The masks you wore all to good

Tightening your grip on me like a tyrant

Claiming I was the one imprisoning you

But what were you holding on to so tightly

I am no one's slave

No ring gives one ownership of another

Even if you gave me a ring

I thought for eternity was our vow

We both spoke the same words

We both faltered

Then you stabbed me again

This time with a twist and a smile

Shadowed and cloaked actions were to hard for you to hide

Your new lover under our roof

Taking my place when we were promised to one another

You only care my early discovery of it all

So what was your plan

I saw no tears in your eyes or upon your cheeks

I gave you the ring

I made a promise of better or worse

Yet you betrayed my trust

I hope it made you happy

So take the ring you gave me

And you keep the one I gave you

Obviously it means something to you

I need no reminders of my past

Or my mistakes

Things will come full circle in time

Rings are a reflection of that