It Happened Under The Stars Poem by Coale Johnson

On the first day of school,
I met her in class.
I thought I was a fool
But she gave me a pass.

So we were friends
For the next three years.
But then something happened
And she broke out in tears.

It was her father
Who battled with cancer.
So I asked her a question
And got a sad answer.

He died in the car
Late last night.
The car lit only
By the shining star light.

She needed a shoulder
So I lent her mine.
Then I gave her a hug
And she started to cry.

That was what happened
Under the stars.
The poor man that died
In the little car.