MY PICTURE IN THE STANDARD

She reads the shame on my face

Recognises a generation marked

By the pushing of large, scarce,

Copper pennies across

The high counter grain.

She leans forward and,

In a hushed voice, says,

"Did you see your picture

In the Kilmarnock Standard?"

Against all sense, against sixty years

Of maturity, the nine-year-old stands up

To face the consequences of rules

He had no say in the making, or breaking, of.

She laughs. Kindly, but still louder than she ought.

"We don't do late fees at the library any more.

You're okay."