A Life No One Should Have To Live

The world was cold, And there he sat, On the sidewalk curve. His head held in his hands. Trying to swallow his pride. Desperately seeking, To build up the nerve. To approach a passerby, And ask for a bite to eat. You could tell it had been a while, Because he barely looked strong enough, To stand on his feet. A young man, Barely twenty years old, And in that moment, He aged a hundred years, Huddled up in the bitter cold. As I walked by, He lifted his head, And spoke as he stifled a cry, He looked me in the eye, And ask for my help, Despite his stubborn pride. Sir, I'm not asking for money, But could you spare a bite to eat. Before I could tell him no, He had already bowed his head, In defeat. My heart ached for him, And I could not let go, Of the despair I saw in his gaze. I decided to go hungry that day, So at least for a moment, His spirit could be raised. But what about tomorrow, I most certainly could not, Take on another mouth to feed. I felt so utterly useless, Despite my good deed. So now I write his story, In the hope that it will, Inspire someone else to do good. Cause I will never forget, That homeless young man, Living a miserable life, That no one, Ever, Should.