a man is lying dead
on a busy street
in carefree cape town
the crumbs of excess
elude him

he is far from home
and alone
an ordinary young man
in want of an ordinary life
or just a piece of bread

and so he eats his own shadow
consumes the last twinkle in his eye
swallows handfuls of poisonous hope

his teeth crack biting the pavement
the world passes by
except those who know
the taste of a shadow
and stop to mourn him