One step; he was a child
content to watching
his classmates play
in the sand box.

Two steps; he grew.
No longer so young,
he watched and waited
to be noticed.

Three steps; he was a man
he wanted, but never spoke
never in his life been loved
though he dearly wanted to be.

Four steps; he grew old
watching children
play in the sand box
so very, tragically alone.

Five steps; he was a goner
and left nothing behind,
in a different kind of sandbox
never noticed. never loved.

He
was
alone
even
in
the
grave