Friday, July 15, 2011

Baguettes

One square solitaire,
princess cut diamond,
cathedral setting.

The one that said,
"Will you make me the happiest man in the world?"

One channel of baguette diamonds,
the ring that sealed the deal.
The one that said, "I do."
"Our chord of three strands is not easily broken.
You are God's plan for me."

One more channel of baguette diamonds,
sandwiching the solitaire,
the one that said,
"Hey, baby girl? Merry Christmas. I still do."

Two diamonds have fallen out. Like missing teeth from a smile,
an otherwise straight, sparkling smile of orthodontia.

The part of me that will forever be a young bride,
naively in love,
believing in a fairy tale story,
says,
"Run to the jewelry store.
Replace and renew.
Fix it. Fix it all. And hold tightly."

The part of me that feels broken in a world of whole,
the part of me that knows how the love story changed,
says,
"Leave it be. It tells the story."

Tattered, gapped, broken,

sparkling, shining, beautiful.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I requested an anniversary ring after 10 years. The jeweler wanted to show us bling. But I didn't want something that made a statement, I wanted something that spoke of the journey. I selected a simple band of gold and silver. Hammered gold, actually. Like an enduring relationship: has withstood the wear and tear of time and is actually more beautiful for it. I much prefer it to the engagement diamond on my other hand. The diamond is beautiful, but it is just so...so...pristine.

I am sure your ring is more beautiful precisely because it is no longer perfect. Any chance of a picture?

Maryellen said...

It's been 4 months and I still don't take mine off. I scream "I am not single!" I'm really not but I am not married either. Widowhood is complicated and tricky. So many questions about how to do stuff that I never thought about or even had to think about before. Not lovin' the idea. But...I have discovered that I am much stronger than I thought I was and very capable.