THE RING

The ring flips and spins

glistening like a lightning bolt

as it tumbles to the floor

the wedding band touches down silently

on a colorful handmade Indian rug

blending with gold woven threads

it lays in luxury with hope that

nay a soul shall roughshod over it

 

This ring has a lengthy melancholic narrative

of an arranged marriage gone awry

ten years and two children

all down hearten

while the household persists with

clamminess, darkness, and afflictions

which are bequeathed from parent to child

dim lights, dull food, drab belongings

wife labors a smile

 

One eve alone

she gazes at her ring

sullen face

In hindsight for hours

She chooses to yank it off

And there it lays

On a handmade woven rug with threads of gold

Notions of hope in her eyes

 

 

 

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'THE RING'
Betty Hermelee,
Many in this world enjoy this type of custom and many may not. I really found your use of the gold thread the strand woven within a beautiful rug to open this poem. I felt it would be a prelude. This was a great contrast for what was coming. Pondering and considering this 'wife' realizes she feels trapped. Marriage is a wonderful thing but this was well done. The ending was good in it's connection with your opening line. Made me think of people ive known in this type of arrangement.
Kathy

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Kathy
So nice of you to visit me and write such a touching review!
Thabk you, much appreciated.
Warmly, B

[HopeJG]

The thought of arranged marriages has held a place in my mind for a long time now, and I think it is often romanticized. This poem captures perfectly the hopelessness, the frustration, the rebellion that was born from a marriage gone sour. Betty's imagery is beautiful and her language unique and powerful. The slightly antiquated words only serve to accentuate this old custom. In short, this is a lovely poem.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Hope JG for stopping by to review my poem, it is very much appreciated…
Waemly, B.

[Shelley Warner]

Wow! It beautifully highlights the problem with arranged marriages, which are usually underage marriages for the woman.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Shelley for your lovely review.
Warmly, B

[Pete]

an odd custom - seems inhumane. that's some ring, i like how you used it to tell this sad, troubling tale. marriage should be about love, not a business transaction. the glitter of gold can be blinding to the point of hiding painful truths underneath. emotional and telling. so cleverly, well written.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Pete for a fantastic review!
Warmly,
B

[peter Charlesworth]

Iused to live and work with people for whom this was their way > yes a few (most really) complained Some were getting towards the (hard fir a word) other beleivers (not correct)
tHEY FOUND A PARTNER AND INTRODUCED THE PARTNER TO THE RESPECTIVE PARENTS - then let then arrange the wedding

[peter Charlesworth]

Ah yes
The arranged marriages
They go through with them for the honor of the family
Not with love

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Peter for your spot on comments
Warmly, B

[Ken Simm.]

This covers a lot of ground superbly. It tells a lot of stories in fantastically chosen words.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Ken for a great review, appreciated!
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

Arranged marriages have always worried me for the respect of the woman, she is in fact usually traded for wealth or goods in many cultures.
Drab everything drags you down especially when you see other couples married in joy and happiness...
I can only say after 2 gold rings i now love my freedom and would never accept another.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Stella thank you for a true to life review, even with some personal touches….
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

you are welcome Betty ... :)

[Soren]

Past choices may end in regret and this metaphor seems clear that despite custom, social decorum choice is always possible. Hippieness should be our goal not just the expectations of others.

[Betty Hermelee]

Your words are very true….thank you for your spot on review….
Warmly, B

[emmajoygreen]

An already empty life is best stripped of glitter until.. time and change can make for happiness again. Hopefully.

Your words could be written in blood red, they even hurt the reader.
A tragedy written so visually I near cringed.

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Em, sorry it disturbed you…. But these are realities that sometimes go awry…thank you for your review, always
Hugs.B

[John the Baptist]

The penultimate verse explains everything. From the arranged nature of the marriage to all the rest of it, the thing became unbearable. May her newfound hope flourish.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you John for a perfect and hopeful review!
Warmly
B.