Thirst

It is almost as if
this thundering lunchroom
thick with students
is absolutely silent.

I observe through
the dense din
Words
Flinging
Flying
Crashing
from one set of lips
to the ears of a boy
who catches the words
and swallows them
believing that they have
been tossed in friendship.

The lips turn
to face other boys
and laugh easily.
They drink in the
sustenance of their cruelty
while another boy
sits alone
unable to recognize
his own thirst.