The Gold in Rings

The gold in rings
is, in a sense, forgiving:
Daily wear leaves little sign,
and damage that looks permanent
may be absorbed in time,
seeming almost to be healed--
though by what strange, redeeming force,
it does no good to guess.

Possibly it's buffed away,
or maybe human eyes
just learn to overlook the obvious;
to see the scratch as part of the design--
whatever, it is comforting
to feel the ring is whole
and know that even grievous injuries
can, given long--and love--enough,
take on the dignity at least
of scars.

Every contact wears each ring a little thinner, true;
no one here's unscathed by life,
not you or I,
and even love is bruising.
But we are faithful to the gold that has forgiven us;
we know this metal has the strength to link us
to the future from our past.
We know that if we simply wear them well,
these rings will last.


1/30/2003