By the way, the poem is not about me.

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she handed in the paper
that determined her future.
all her hard work and effort
went into the writing.



she walked back to her seat
and tried to think of something else.
but the only thing that came to mind
was who she did it all for.



through the years of her life
she hungered for their attention.
she was willing to forget the past
if they showed interest this one time.



she had handed out the tickets
to the important event.
they all agreed to show
and give her their support.



but she still held on to one more
for the one she did it all for.



the teacher called her to the front
to give her the results.
she had a proud smile on her face
as she said, "congratulations."



the girl clenched the paper
as proof of her success.
and she imagined the proud look
of the one she did it all for.



the morning of the most
important day of her life,
she put on her cap and gown
and met her family in the den.



they admired her presence
and proposed an ovation.
with smiles on their faces
that could make the poorest man feel rich.



she accepted their gifts and hugs,
while glancing out the window.
hoping to see the person
that she did it all for.



she gave the last ticket to her mom
and said, "hold it just in case."
her mom hesitantly accepted it,
and tried to force a smile.



the time came to leave,
and he still hadn't shown.
but she didn't lose hope
that he wouldn't be there at all.



anger grew in her moms veins
as she thought to herself,
"don't disappoint my girl,
this is her special day."



the mood in the car
was so excited and joyful.
but the girl sat in silence
as she said a soft prayer:



"if i can't have anything
that i ever truly want in life,
please, God, give me this.
i did it all for him."



when they arrived, she went
to where her class gathered.
she mingled with her friends,
and tried to be happy.



at the start of the ceremony,
they filed into the auditorium.
she spotted her family,
and they waved and took pictures.



she took her assigned seat,
as she listened to the speeches.
she turned around and hoped to
see the one she did it all for.



her mom noticed her movements,
and thought again to herself,
"i'd hate to see this happen.
but this wouldn't be the first time."



they started to announce
the graduating class.
as walked across the stage,
they got acknowledged by their peers.



her name was called,
and she heard her family cheer.
she stood their to see if he had shown,
but he didn't.



her eyes grew wide,
and pain sank into her heart.
but she forced a smile
and accepted her diploma.



as she walked back to her seat,
she tried to reason with herself.
"maybe he couldn't find parking.
i know he wouldn't miss this."



over the speakers she heard the voice say,
"everyone, i give you Class of 2008!"



the graduates stood up
and turned to face the crowd.
she scanned the auditorium
but he was nowhere to be found.



the crowd cheered as they
threw their caps into the air.
she stood still in her spot,
trying to hold back her tears.



when the ceremony was finished,
she walked over to her mom.
she said, "daddy didn't come.
i just want to go home."