in the summer of 2017

I slipped on a boat

tried to grab a rail

but only got one finger on it

I knew straight away it was bad

my medical training kicked in

I had to get my wedding ring off fast

otherwise it would be cut off in the ER

the ring came off smoothly

just before my finger started to swell

my knuckle joint froze bent

I had to wear a finger stay for weeks

months of physical therapy

slowly brought mobility back

scar tissue kept my knuckle enlarged

my wedding ring no longer fitted

I saw a hand trauma doctor

he said it would probably never fit again

I was sad and depressed

larger rings felt very uncomfortable

it never felt right 

having my wedding ring finger bare

I started wearing my wedding ring

on my pinkie finger

on two occasions the ring slipped off

losing it set me into a massive panic

frantic worried searching ensued

great relief each time it was recovered

with some gentle lubrication

two years later, my wedding ring slipped over my knuckle

no more naked wedding ring finger

its staying on for life now