My  Dad's Wedding Ring

My dad and I had a complicated relationship
I've written of this before
About a year ago I found his wedding ring
To honor his memory I wore it for the past year
Then suddenly 2 nights ago took it off
Returned it gently to a metal box on my desk

I realized yesterday that I can't wear that ring again
He was a quiet man who kept his entire life secret
I am a poet and an artist
Everything is out in the open
He was always moral
I've had issues with that

Wearing his ring was an honor
I can't be him
I wouldn't want to
I don't think he'd want to be me
Flesh and blood
Even in death there is love and protest