Tramping Philosopher

Old haggard man with holes in his trousers
carrying a placard beneath shaggy beard
proclaiming a message none will heed
walking past shops overflowing with customers.
Smartly dressed businessmen can’t be bothered to read
What the tatty prophet publicizes.
Souls sucked dry by bulging wallets.
Deaf to the words which boom from his gullet.
Slowly streets empty, everyone has a home
as the man beds down on streets all alone
‘the end of the world is nigh he sighs’
whispering his message he dies