He sleeps; oblivious of life
Alcohol bottles discarded
To glisten in watery grave
Empty of obnoxious fluid
That leaves only dark depressions.

Snow falls on his wasted body
Cold stirs him awake, shivering
Stumbling to retrieve the bottles
He attempts to suck them bone dry
This attacks his thin and raw throat

Once again; on the street begging
Worms squirm in his empty stomach
Folk ignore the outstretched hand
In fear of transmitted disease
From this smelly, obscene person

Night takes him back to the alley
To a bed of rotten refuse
And the company of vile rats
His eyes close in deep misery
Bringing darkness of peaceful death.