FALLING WISHES

BY TERESA WHITESIDES

Two Women at a Window, c. 1655/1660, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Artist, Spanish, 1617 - 1682 from the National Gallery of Art

Once, I was a young girl
and spent all my time looking to the night sky,
twinkling lights reflecting off smoky blue eyes.
Wondering if Cinderella was real.

You would always spend your time screaming,
voice piercing the night like a knife to the heart.
It's past my bedtime, you've had enough.
Time to do what you wanted.

But when I went into grade school,
I came to believe that when you wish upon a star,
your dreams really do come true.
You, on the other hand,

were right there to tell me dreams are for fools.
Your breath tainting the air
with cigarette smoke, tequila,
and something else I did not know at that time.

Later, in high school, I would stay up late,
just to find that one falling star.
Shimmering in the dark sky,
leaving hope in its wake.

So I could make that wish
I so desperately needed
to come true, just once.
A wish to top all wishes.

To wake up one morning
to a family who truly cared and loved me.
On the other hand, you would stay up late,
People coming and going at all hours of the night.

Bloodshot eyes piercing my soul,
as you scream at me to get to bed,
reminding me wishes are for fools.
I knew then what you truly loved and cared for.

Now, I look at the night sky,
twinkling lights reflecting off smoky blue eyes,
and smile.
I teach my children to wish upon a star.

That dreams really do come true,
Just ask Nana and Papa. | TW

TERESA WHITESIDE WRITES FROM COFFEE CREEK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.