Hey Loves! This poem was presented to me at work by one of my physicians. Being that we are in the medical field this touched us both. I found it to be very sad as often times people are overlooked. Especially, elderly people. Take some time to read the poem below and leave your thoughts in the comments. I really would like to know how this poem made you feel, if you can relate from personal experience from family, or just your general thoughts. I hope you enjoy ❤
Cranky Old Man
What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . … . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .’I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . … lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. …Babies play ’round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future … . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I’ve known.
I’m now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. …. . ME!!
This man just wanted to be seen for who he really was and not seen for what people saw with their eyes. People are mistreated everyday in nursing homes by people who have no compassion. I am so THANKFUL for the trait of wanting to help people and the passion to want to do it. It brings me so much joy to make others feel better especially those who can not help themselves. They are the ones relying on us the most. We will all be in the same place one day, unable to do the things we use to do and love. Relying on others to help us. I love my profession and I’m only going to keep growing. #futureNICUnurse
Comment with your thoughts!
Until next time loves
❤
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This was such a touching poem!
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I used to intern in hospice care. I was afraid to work in a nursing home and because geriatric was not by preferred population to work with (I like working with children and young adults) but I came to really love my patients. I enjoyed spending time with them especially when I knew I may have been the only person visiting in their old age.
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There are a lot of people who do not get visitors. Their family forgets about them, thinking the are well cared for not knowing what is really going on til its too late. 😦
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We must remember that the elderly were once people who lived full lives (had families, careers, marriages, were college students, etc.)! I think we forget that sometimes. They are people. And if God blesses us with long lives, we will be in their exact position one day. I try to always be mindful of that.
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Absolutely! I often times pray my family (if so happens they end up in a home) don’t go through this. Honestly its a lack of passion in the work that people do.
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Beautiful poem! I absolutely love this! I think older men are often forgotten more so than anyone else when they age, it’s sad sometimes. Makes me want to volunteer at my local nursing home a lot more.
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Its all sad but it happens every day.
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Thank you for giving our vulnerable loved ones a voice. I’ve never been a fan of nursing homes because I’ve seen too many times how the residents have been neglected. These residents are more than patients — they are people!
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This was a well put poem. I used to be a case manager for individuals living with disabilities and the aging. So I’ve always advocated against nursing homes and for individuals to receive home care at home. I think that this is a good example of how one can be seen to mean nothing because they no longer possess the same as they used to. Great read.
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