Down the walking trail from home, the neighbors strung
a thin wire fence between two pine poles with paper tags
and a sharpie. Their number grew by the day.

I wish to beat cancer, someone wrote, and another, unity
and peace for Lyn’s family. I wish for this too.

Someone is praying that their son finds love and happiness.
Someone hopes their girlfriend lands the job that makes
her happy. Yes, a thousand times yes; love, happiness,
and purposeful labor.

Wishes sequin the fence, tossing in the listening breeze.
I wish for long and fruitful relationships, I wish to be content
with myself and where I am, Sustain the earth and its people.
May it be so, dear neighbor, may it be so.

I, too, wish for the war to end, for Soph to have an easy and
quick labor/birth, that we all learn to respect each other, for
pie. All over the neighborhood we are casting spells for
good fortune, abundance and belonging, that we may all
know how supported we are, that everyone finds someone
who loves them.

All over the world we are kneeling our tongues to our
lips, mouthing good day and freedom from physical pain.
Keep going, I want to say to each, don’t give up on this
muscle of hope. Yes, the dictatorship will end. All will
know peace. You will find your equal, your forever.

And to the one who wished to find thirty pine cones
today – oh sweet sweet friend, may you find more than
thirty. May you stumble into a field of them; pine cones,
prayers, wishes, kindnesses so abundant, each containing
hundreds of seeds.