The old man shivers
he’s in his apartment
it’s winter
the temperature is below zero
he can’t afford the high cost of heat
he wears layers of clothes
he drinks hot coffee
it’s not enough
he still shivers
he’s still freezing
he’s all alone
with no one to help
he knows he’s close to freezing to death
he doesn’t care about living anymore
his breathing becomes shallow
his pulse becomes weak
he tries to light one last cigarette
but he’s lost his coordination
his reflexes too
his muscles have become stiff
he can’t light the match
he closes his eyes
takes a faltering final breath
his heart stops beating
and he dies
Bob Boyd
