The Wedding Rings
Written: March 19, 2006

They were gold, with little chips of diamonds-not worth much-
But she remembers the feel of their touch.
She'd slide her rings around, twisting them between her fingers-
Taking them halfway up one, then letting them linger.
It had been so long since she'd felt that, and she missed it so-
But she understood that times were hard and they had to be let go.
Back then, so long ago, many had to sell their treasures-
Just to eat and live, one had to take drastic measures.
But even throughout The Depression, their love got them by-
They may have lost everything, but on faith and prayer did they rely.
Many said he wasn't good enough, but she saw his strength-
And she knew he'd protect her at any length.
He did what he could to give her the life she was due-
For many a times he felt there was way too much she'd went through.
She tried to not mention her desire for the feel of wedding rings-
And just wanting to see them on her finger was the silliest of things.
He saw how much she longed for those rings throughout the years-
To her they were souvenirs.
Each time he tried to get new wedding rings, money wasn't there-
He just hoped she understood and realized how much he did care.
Everyday, he'd put his pocket change aside-
In an old milk jug, it he did hide.
Years passed one by one, and that jug became too heavy to lift-
He called his son, telling him he needed his help to by momma a gift.
They went into town and took that old jug to the bank-
When he asked the young girl to count it out, her expression became blank.
After twenty or so minutes, he and his son walked out-
His son questioning what all this was about.
But he just told him to take him to the local jewelry store-
He didn't have time for the Why's or What for's!
Once at his destination, he knew what he sought-
He'd looked at them for years, but today he walked in and bought.
'Son, some other time, I will explain-
Just know that getting these has taken me years to obtain.'�
At home later that evening, he asked her to sit-
Telling her that there was something he had to admit.
'For years, I've watched you caress that ring finger-
Stopping for seconds here or there and letting your hand linger.
I've always wanted to put a ring back on that hand-
And I'd never realized that there was power in such a tiny gold band.'�
She started to speak, but he held a finger softly to her lips-
He gently took her hand into his and onto her finger he slipped-
The wedding rings that she lost over fifty years ago-
How he found the exact ones, she just didn't know.
She cried as she glanced down seeing them back in there place-
A smile gently washed across her face.
'How? How did you find them, afford them-how?'�
'My love, I promised long ago to uphold our vows-
And those vows were sealed with a gold band-
That family and friends watched me slip on your hand.
It almost killed me, to watch you take them off when hard times came-
For years, I thought I was to blame.
I saved all my change for years and cashed it in today-
When the jewelry called with the news to say-
That they'd found your rings at an estate sale.
I knew they were yours because of the inscription detail.'�
She smiled and embraced him, loving him more than ever-
For over fifty years, her and those wedding rings were severed.
Glancing toward his hand to see if his ring was there-
He immediately caught her stare.
'Yes, I have mine as well, but it remains in this little box here-
For I wanted you to slip it upon my finger like you did that year.'�
She cried as did he, when she took his hand-
And slipped on that small gold band.
The wedding rings-
Simple, sacred things.
Expensive or flashy they need not be-
Because it is the shared love that others should see.

©2006 Candice M. Martin

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