Ring – A Poem by Brandon White

Hello Friends,

The inspiration for a poem can come from almost anything. I try to challenge myself to create work worthy of reading from random moments and the mundanities of life, and I have for you today another attempt at that—a free verse poem born of a mishap. I believe there’s a poem everywhere if you look close enough.

Ring:

I wore it every day since it was
placed on my finger so many years ago,

before the hard times.
When home was two bedrooms and cramped,

and there was nothing to show 
for our work and worry

Before cancer tore through 
our lives 

Before children
were even a consideration

It wasn't expensive as far
as rings are concerned

But worth has little to do
with nickels and dimes

This morning, it was placed
into the door mortise

and dropped like a quarter
in a jukebox 

into the dark hollow of a wall
by a little girl 

that regret was determined 
to meet

She stared back at me,
eyes wet with tears

and at once understood
the true power 

of her own 
hands


-Brandon White