Wishing Well

Stopping at a Wishing Well
I gazed into the water
Pennies shined in multitude
someone threw a quarter

Then I reached inside my pocket
I was only ten
I didn’t find a coin to throw
I came up short again

Now with elbows on the ledge
I looked back down once more
I could hang around the Well
there wasn’t any law

So many wishes lay below
I did all I could do
Not to doubt so many wishes
possibly came true

Then at once I saw my face
reflecting up at me
Frowning like the little boy
whose wish would never be

Standing fast I looked away
and headed down the hill
Hands back in my pockets now
and searching ever still

Half way home and glancing down
I found a single penny
I thought about the crowded well
beckoning so many

I thought about returning then
to make a wish so dandy
Then stuck it in my pocket fast
a penny still bought candy

May 2000