A Sixpenny Wish (1985) Poem by Dennis Green

Before mass
Daddy gave me sixpence
to buy a guardian angel with
he said,
rubbing love on freckled cheek.
So I ran all the way to church
with that sixpence in my shoe
and I knelt dutifully
prayed beautifully
but they didn't get my sixpence.
Though the lolly-lady did
and I got chocolate peanut brittle
in my teeth as I smiled
and Daddy knew
but loved me just the same.

Now all the sixpences are gone
Daddy too
and I haven't prayed since those freckles went away.
Though if I were to dream a little
I'd wish for love and peanut brittle
for any sad unwanted angel
not been kissed by the sun
or a Daddy
at all...