Diane Wakoski - The Ring lyrics

I carry it on my keychain, which itself is a big bra** ring large enough for my wrist, holding keys for safe deposit box, friends' apartments, My house, office and faithless car. I would like to wear it, the only ornament on my plain body, but it is a relic, the husband gone to other wives, and it could never be a symbol of sharing, but like the gold it's made of, stands for possession, power, the security of a throne. So, on my keyring, dull from resting in my dark purse, it hangs, reminding me of failures, of beauty I once had, of more ancient searcher for enchanted ring. I understand, now, what that enchantment is,though. It is being loved. Or, conversely, loving so much that you feel loved. And the ring hangs there with my keys, reminding of failure. This vain head full of roses, crystal, bleeding lips, a voice doomed to listen, forever, to itself.