Jackie asked his grandmother,
“Memaw, would you do me a favor?
Would you make a wish on the wishing star
for me tonight?”
Memaw spread her hands.
Fisherman, save a silver fish for Jackie.
Postman, bring a valentine.
Soldier, drop your gun,
run home and play.
“What should I wish for?” she asked.
Immortal Buddha,
smile with passion on a passionate world.
Time paused to listen.
“If I tell you it might not come true.”
he said.
Memaw’s heart enfolded his.
“I think it would.” she said.
“What should I wish for?”
Jack glowed.
“I want everyday to be today.”
he declared.
Time sighed.
“You mean you want everyday to be
like today?” Memaw asked.
“No, I want everyday to be today,
except for one little part.”
and he was silent.
Mystery is a part of all horizon.
“Was somebody mean to you?” Memaw asked.
“No.”
“Did you make a mistake?
Were you mean to somebody else?”
“No.” He shook his head.
“It was nothing like that,
I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay!” she replied.
Everyone should bless a day
a child blesses.
That night Memaw prayed on the
wishing star.
Time added a day every day,
to an hour Jack would recognize,
always, every day to be today,
brand new.