by Bryant Burroughs

I am the ring of love’s first days,    
a golden pledge    
of love and help throughout life’s ways,
though they could see only the edge
of the path. Their love was ablaze  
as brightly as the radiant stone
that burnished her finger and captured their gaze,
as a glittering flower of love’s seeds they’d sown.    
           “I rejoice and sing
           that she would ask to wear me
           until the end of days
           as her engagement ring.”

I am the ring of December,   
a golden vow    
whose permanence helps them remember,  
in years coming after this longed-for Now, 
they are to be faithful and hopeful as bride
and groom, now husband and wife –
miraculous words! – love having opened wide
the fortune of a helper and companion and guide for life. 
           “I rejoice and sing
           that she would ask to wear me
           until the end of days
           as her Wedding Ring.”

I, too, am the ring of that December day,   
a golden band    
to make the heart visible, love’s display.
On that day, with ring and hand
they gave each other their consent 
to never again be alone.
Instead, to be for each other a Christmas present 
and put the other’s help above their own.
           “I rejoice and sing
           that he would ask to wear me
           until the end of days
           as his Wedding Ring.”

Bryant Burroughs writes stories and poems as reminders of those things he hopes are real and true. He and his wife, Ruth, live in Upstate South Carolina with their three cats.

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