A Broken Wishing Well
By Sophia Gonzales, 17, Spain
never ending expectations
are dropped like coins
splattered into a fountain
they fall and make a splash
piercing the water abruptly
until its smooth silky surface
is forced into a wavering concern
a tempest of fears
the well wishes too
and groans in pain
it’s cement cracking to the ground
it pleads and begs
like hopeless fingers crossed
on a bandaged hand
worn and throbbing
wanting not to hear a shatter of dreams
but the soft sprinkle of smiles
yours and mine
the well reaches towering hopes
burdened by the childlike dreams
wished for with eyes closed right
and fingers interlaced in a plea
its power to make ambitions come true
seen as a bright reward
yet a cunning curse so deeply misunderstood
the old well breaks in the stifling heat
a fortress of hopes tumbles like cracked tile
until coins drop into an empty wishing well
exhausted and dried out
but continuing to supply the world its desires
only wishing to make them proud
to fulfill the needs
to gain praise and cheers
a beautiful well meant to impress
broken and incapable
This poem represents the incessant wish to please the people around us- a lifestyle and mentality that can be draining and difficult to maintain. The wishing well tries desperately to satisfy the desires of the world and dismisses its own health until it breaks. The needs and expectations of others are important to us, but our own freedom, identity and voice need to be cared for as well.
Instagram: @sophiagonzales.04
