No one came that day, nor
Any other day, to his birthday party,
Nor to say “Hello”, “Good-bye”, or “How are you?”
Nor for any other event, now that he
Thought about it,
    No one came.
The day he had 104, sweating like a pig and
(Do pigs really sweat?) was delirious and weak,
    No one came.
The day he broke his leg.
The sharp, jagged bone, incising
The skin, blood everywhere, held tightly
By two belts and
    No one came.
The day he received his diploma,
Summa *** Laude!  How much better?
Work and school, no time to play, now
To rest a bit and celebrate, but without
Anyone to share the joyous moment,
    No one came.
The day his heart felt feint,
Must be how a volcano feels when
It is about to erupt, he had thought
Just before a crushing hand squeezed
Brought quick, excruciating pain, and then
He was dead; laid cold and still and
    No one came.