A Midday Lament

Mommy,
she said,
holding a bare dandelion stem

do you want to know what my wish was?
she looked up,
white tufts of seed at her feet

I know it won’t come true
but I want to wish it anyway

I knew what her wish was
the kind you know can’t come true
but you ask for anyway

I wish that our baby was alive
and not in heaven

I carry the same one