The Wishing Pond
by Lady Mathers
The desperate toss pennies and pour all their dreams into one wish.
I watched a child settle flower petals on the water's gleaming face
to watch them float.
Tiny curving petal flower boats.
How many pennies in a wishing pond?
How many wishes come true?
How many reflections wear carefree smiles,
or tightly pinched brows, ruled by worry?
Faces soothe as cool pond marble, or dimpled like spongy moss,
never sharing a happy thought.
Ripples born from a penny's toss, reaching every corner,
before turning back on itself.
Once I wished on a wishing pond...then felt my heart
being pulled beneath the water, into a bottomless reality.
I was drowning between the shimmering dimes,
stones, buttons, slugs, and quarters.
I could hear the whispers of ancient ghosts,
see the shadows of rounded monks, peasants and soldiers,
peering down at me in the water...wondering.
I could see the trickling fountainhead, spilling forth
its liquid wishes...
the sun dancing on currents of hope.
How many wishes in a wishing pond?
How many wishes come true?
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