Cinders and Ash

An alley lined with history
Portrays a dreary winter scene
A lonely man with not to eat
He fought the snow only to see.

For everything he thought was lost
No sight of tomorrow's day arriving
And a hunger lurking deep within
But no coin to afford the heavy cost.

He took a match which all he had
And gave it one good stroke
A can provided it a cage
Upon it's bursting out like mad.

The flame it burnt despite the cold
And within it the man could see
A story of long forgotten beginnings
Choices made that were so bold.

However, the wind picked up and barreled through
The man he sought to shield his eyes
Too quickly to this he chose his pose
And the fate he not expect that soon pursue.

A poof of smoke was all it took
A sleeve alit the midnight air
Upon contact the man engulfed
And violently his body shook.

The flames burnt wide without much care
Within the blaze his body withered
And as he gave out one final cry
His life would end with not to spare.

What given fate to one so sad
To find hope at last moment's glance
Only to have ripped from him
Any chance he may have had?

What message derived be made of him?
Simply cherish what you have
Many man suffer worse than most
And one's life could grow dim.

You see, life it hath no bounds or limits
As we ourselves may only restrict
Life will always challenge our will
But only to what our mind permits.