Pains of Having Nothing

Pains of Having Nothing

A frail, old man slowly pushes his cart
full of putrid refuse, he cannot part.
Sacred possessions in a world of shame
comfort a poor soul; who is to blame?

His mind knows only this daily trek
along empty streets; he's in check.
At a warm shelter he finally arrives
akin to so many other lost lives.

This one night he dreams of memories
out in freezing cold snow flurries.
He tries to awake, no more strength,
cold to the touch, laid out at length.

Second Place Winner in  "A Poem A Day Contest"