BEFORE THE BELL OF THE LAST ROUND

BEFORE THE BELL OF THE LAST ROUND

A Poem by Salvatore Buttaci
"

I would venture to say most people who have tried love have failed at one time or another. Love is a kind of miracle and not all prayers for miracles are answered. In the end our pain causes us to grasp for mementos.

"

BEFORE THE BELL

OF THE LAST ROUND

 

I put it

Where it will do

The most good

I confess

And you laugh

As if that gold ring

Were a comic’s prop

A Cracker-Jack toy

A hoop for circus fleas

Not a sacred thing at all

 

Into my left hand

First where you released it

Before the bell of the last round

of our contentious marriage

Stone-chinned aloof

You with your white-banded finger

a phantom of the missing ring

I with the real thing in my trembling palm

Shrouded in weak wisps of aura

 

Top pocket

Safe now from your waving hand

The ring braced against my shirted heart

Resuscitated by clamorous heartbeats

Lonely as I in this unhappy parting

What does this fingerless ring

in wed-unlock know of beginning and end

Though in its goldness it wheels

Tales of vows kept or broken

 

And ran

These tears I said I wouldn’t ever let fall

Like streams that have strayed far from fast rivers

Sluicing from eyes filled with your leaving

Steady-hand memory click-clicking away

And your ring left behind in my pocket

All that remains of our years of forever

The word that starts you laughing all over again

Then you’re gone through the door one last time

 

Through the vineyard

I go like a man possessed

to settle his wrath in the grapes

of libation and drown in its sea

The voices still crying for love

may I show you this ring

tell all that it stood for

I keep it right here where it does

the most good

close to my heart.

 

      #

© 2008 Salvatore Buttaci

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 Salvatore Buttaci


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Featured Review

Brillliant Sal. A wonderful imaginative and creative take on the challenge phrase.
The sentiments were amazing and a wonderfully entertaining story unfolded
before my eyes. Much enjoyed indeed! The imagery was outstanding and you
had my interest from 'woe to go'.
Thank you for joining Antony's challenge and for "Keeping the Dream Alive"!

Helena

Posted 15 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

How sad and creative. I felt the emotions raw and true. You're a really great writer.

Keep Writing. ^___^

Posted 12 Years Ago


Well, that made my day.

Posted 14 Years Ago


Wow! A beautiful piece of writing, which really touched my heart with its sorrow. I liked the way you played with the first line of each stanza too....v cool! Going to be looking out for more of your stuff...

Posted 14 Years Ago


Beautifully profound, Sal! Congratulations on your award winning poem...

Posted 14 Years Ago


Congrats on your winning poem! Number One in my book!

Posted 14 Years Ago


Oh so well penned

Posted 14 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

awww. so sad. Why'd they make the narrator so unhappy? Stupid and unfair

Posted 14 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

What a wonderful, emotional reality enhanced story..but so sad. I'm thinking it does reflect the story of many more than a few. I've never seen anyone weave a phrase through writing the way you have done this one...but all to the glory of the quality. Purely fascinating and intriguing!
Love/Liz/angelinmypocket


Posted 15 Years Ago


a sad story wonderfully done

Posted 15 Years Ago


Brillliant Sal. A wonderful imaginative and creative take on the challenge phrase.
The sentiments were amazing and a wonderfully entertaining story unfolded
before my eyes. Much enjoyed indeed! The imagery was outstanding and you
had my interest from 'woe to go'.
Thank you for joining Antony's challenge and for "Keeping the Dream Alive"!

Helena

Posted 15 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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Added on July 6, 2008

Author

Salvatore Buttaci
Salvatore Buttaci

Princeton, West Virginia, WV



About
I live in West Virginia and have been writing and seeing my poems in print for the past fifty years. I also write short stories and articles for publications. In the early part of the new year 2010,.. more..

Writing