He grins blindly,

attempting innocuous

blank and “casual” –

a good guy enjoying

a bit of banter. No fuss.

I imagine his hand,

finger bulging against

wedding band, reaching

for whatever he wants

to feel in his palm.
Power is slippery

when clean. A tenacious

grip is needed to keep

hold of such success,

sweet as cheap shampoo


He grins blindly.

Comedians and cartoonists

think of lizards, journalists

cite Mr Burns – that tepee

of soft-skinned fingers.

The ring slides knuckle

to knuckle in the winter

months. Mustn’t wear it

while forcing oneself

through frigid June waves.
This symbol is just

for dry land, cameras, off-

water matters. Mustn’t lose it.

Marriage is a sacrosanct

sign of normalcy.