Left Fourth Finger                                                                

When I am working.
When I prepare and eat a meal.
When I unwrap and open packages.
When I use my hands
to help express my heartfelt spoken thoughts.
When I move heavy boxes.
When I get dressed and tie my shoes.

At these times I see my wedding ring,
securely placed on my left fourth finger,
reflecting the light and shadows of my hand,
placed over veins that enter my core.
I see this jewelry symbol of caring,
gently greeting open eyes
in an ancient universal language
that has no need for words.

I can hear our vows
symbolically melded
into a shining precious metal circle.
A circle that whispers
within a diameter of less than an inch.
That I am not alone.
That I share the present.
That I share an unwritten book
of remembered life stories.
That we touch in the middle of the night.