Two Poems

AFTER THE BALL
 
Late-risen, we sit near breakfast
reading large, simple sentences;
outside the remains of Sunday shine
as uselessly as a halfholiday.
Compensation Shock, you read aloud.
How can money bring back our son -
we expected twice as much.
Baffling, yes - but anything smaller
than headlines feels too complex
or hurts the eyes. Victim Cheated
At Scrabble, Murderer Claims.
You avert your gaze, suddenly giddy,
trying to fix on more distant points.
Music helps: a proper soundtrack
can ennoble the cheapest movie,
...