Poetry for Marriage Ring

The Jewels

By Michael Carey

Water, they say,

we are mostly,

water and air

surrounded by

a few ounces

of minerals:

calcium, phosphorus,

potassium, salt,

the tiniest amount

of iron and zinc and copper.

Oh, but what

a fine mixture!

See these children

sitting and lying in the sun

by the low tangle of green bushes.

Such tender lumps of clay!

Such beautiful bags of water!

Bright jewels

on the wedding ring

of their parents!

staring at themselves

in the lily, in the turtle,

the frog and the surface

of the bubbling stream.

See the soft curves

on the gentle girl

and her two

plump brothers.

Nothing but skin and love

and a quiet curiosity

between their souls

and the heavens,

their hearts

and the sky and

the maze of students

walking by --

their busy brains

already reeling

about the tedious

contours of their

next day’s assignment.