NOISES OF A DISHEARTENING KIND

She just got back and went upstairs,

Not 'announcing' that she was home.

But she stopped with disappointment,

When she could hear him moan and groan.



She heard banging against the wall.

She moved towards the bedroom door.

She heard him huffing and puffing,

And then he cried out loud and swore.



She carefully opened the door,

And she said, "Oh, for goodness' sake.

This should be a small job, Derek,

Just how much longer will it take?"



"I just hurt my hand," frowned Derek,

"And I think I have strained myself."



"Ooh, the dangers involved," she joked,

"In trying to put up a shelf!"





Around 2003