by Felicity Collier

Created on: August 31, 2010

In my life so many wishes have been made,

From childish longings, changing with the breeze of time,

Through teenage dreams, when the drums of love beat loud,

To adult hopes and more mellow aspirations.

So many times my mother said to me,

“Find a four leaved clover and make a wish come true “

And I would scramble in the green and dew soaked grass,

Believing that success would bring the pony I desired;

And at Christmas, I would find the silver in the pudding,

Or break the chicken wishbone with my little brother

And tug just hard enough to win the wishing end.

On holidays, exploring English villages,

I would drop a penny in the wishing well

And cross my fingers, close my eyes, and wish

For good exam news waiting back at home.

I remember well those wishes of my teenage years,

When I hoped a disco boy would dance with me

Despite my spotty face and awkward stance.

I doubt my granddaughter has wished like this,

But maybe, despite her softer skin and greater beauty,

Her dental brace creates that angst for her.

And later on, a youthful blushing bride,

I cut the cake and made my private wishes –

Well worn, important wishes, softly thought,

They were for health and wealth and happiness.

Amid the photo flashes and the cheering guests

My father toasted us and wished us well,

“A long and happy married life and babies too.”

So did those wedding wishes stand the test of time?

Dear Father's hopes for me were sadly not to be - 

Our married life was fraught and fractured soon,

But at least the babies came and brought me lasting joy.

My private whispered wishes have matured with time: 

“Health” has had its tricky moments but has seen me through

And not yet compromised my length of life.

“Wealth” was not an unexpected lottery win,

An empty overstated wish which blights too many lives;

True wealth for me is all the little children

Who call me “Grandma” as they race laughing by.

“Happiness” is perhaps the only wish

That all of us should make at every wishing moment.

For me its frequent repetition

Has brightened darker moments and reminded me

The sun is always round the corner of the moving clouds,

And there is always joy to see and feel

Even if it is on other people's faces

Or in the depth of stunning natural beauty

Surrounding each and every one of us

I feel blessed now that my happiness is rooted

In my husband's eyes and children's hearts

And in my wish to make a difference still.

So many wishes carrying on through time ..........

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