BEFORE THE BELL OF THE LAST ROUND

I would venture to say most people who have tried love have failed at one time or another. Love is a kind of miracle and not all prayers for miracles are answered. In the end our pain causes us to grasp for mementos.

BEFORE THE BELL

OF THE LAST ROUND

 

I put it

Where it will do

The most good

I confess

And you laugh

As if that gold ring

Were a comic’s prop

A Cracker-Jack toy

A hoop for circus fleas

Not a sacred thing at all

 

Into my left hand

First where you released it

Before the bell of the last round

of our contentious marriage

Stone-chinned aloof

You with your white-banded finger

a phantom of the missing ring

I with the real thing in my trembling palm

Shrouded in weak wisps of aura

 

Top pocket

Safe now from your waving hand

The ring braced against my shirted heart

Resuscitated by clamorous heartbeats

Lonely as I in this unhappy parting

What does this fingerless ring

in wed-unlock know of beginning and end

Though in its goldness it wheels

Tales of vows kept or broken

 

And ran

These tears I said I wouldn’t ever let fall

Like streams that have strayed far from fast rivers

Sluicing from eyes filled with your leaving

Steady-hand memory click-clicking away

And your ring left behind in my pocket

All that remains of our years of forever

The word that starts you laughing all over again

Then you’re gone through the door one last time

 

Through the vineyard

I go like a man possessed

to settle his wrath in the grapes

of libation and drown in its sea

The voices still crying for love

may I show you this ring

tell all that it stood for

I keep it right here where it does

the most good

close to my heart.

 

      #

© 2008 Salvatore Buttaci

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Helena]

Brillliant Sal. A wonderful imaginative and creative take on the challenge phrase.
The sentiments were amazing and a wonderfully entertaining story unfolded
before my eyes. Much enjoyed indeed! The imagery was outstanding and you
had my interest from 'woe to go'.
Thank you for joining Antony's challenge and for "Keeping the Dream Alive"!

Helena

[Suelou]

This is fantastic.

[Sharon Miller Bolander]

I would not even venture a guess as to how many rings have become mementos of a happier time long lost in the chaos of failed relationships, but I do know your words will strike home with many. It's particularly sad when only one partner wishes out and the other stands holding only a ring. I have no criticism to offer but only an appreciation of the message. Sharon