It curled around his plump finger
choking the joint; violet lines
bursting from the pressure.
It suffocated him;
the gold tint, shining back and forth—
Mocking, taunting.

Too tight, clearly,

Anyone could see.
Why not remove yourself from all this? they asked.
It’s been long since that skin could breath.
Yes, he replied, so long.
Nineteen years, in fact.

At first it fit right;
it felt cool against his skin.
But then it rubbed and rubbed,
so he pulled and pulled. 

But it would not come off.
Over time he wasn’t even sure
if  he wanted to take it off.
It’s 14 karats, you know.