Lost Boys 

after James Miller 

 

Two minutes to a vague dream 

about clouds made of ice cream, bright 

in the morning missed the cold 

of home sometimes.  Imagine the whole city 

slowly dissolving into the same mush 

as the boys did, as he said, the air was colder

than shivered.  Water over the mirror frowned 

at what might, and dithered, no more 

punishments.  They were not in the most direct 

way, for whom came easily would sign money, 

as if friends or moan.  If so hard decided: 

tea bags, toilet rolls, milk, fresh vegetables, olive oil, 

bread would give to waste or treat or expedition, 

for the boys would keep.