shrine on a high bridge

[tanka format]

tight to the railings

baby’s palm print, blue bootees

cellophaned posy

and tear sodden goodbye note

finished off in black crayon

“dear stranger, please pray

to god for me and baby 

tell him I’m sorry

it’s all got on top of me

please think well of me... Jilly”

and in a wine bottle

a candle burned away.