A Better Prize

Standing in the court
waiting for the hearing to begin
happy smiles, assurance
certainty of a better future
The judge speaking words
words of closing of completion
“I cannot give you a prize,” he said
deep in his shtick, his banter
She spoke, quietly
“I have my kids back, that is better
than anything you could give me”
But did he even hear it, these words
of love, of understanding, of closure
from her lips; did he understand?
Maybe not; but it was her realization,
the preciousness of her reward
that mattered. She had her kids.