I saw him at the wishing well
dropping a golden penny.
His hand shook as I asked him
what he wished for - a curious mistake.
He wished for his mother - ridden
with disease - to be well again, as
he covered his eyes - now red.
Innocent feelings of well-intent now
filled me with dread, my heart sinking
to my knees as the penny fell
to the bottom with a clink.
The sound resembled the champagne floats
resounding in the restaurant above,
while the boy looked at his feet.
And I mine.
I pulled out a penny for the ice-cream
I desired, before handing it over to be
thrown over. It soared over the railing
and into the murky water below, the wind
rustled as I whispered;
I wish she gets better too.