You might have read the below poem or heard of it a long, long time ago, but I only came across it today and it simply broke my heart.
I am a carer, a live-in carer for the elderly, and the words spoke directly to me for obvious reasons.
Let's be kind to those who walk slower than us.
Please, never forget that the elderly have a life, a past just like us.
One day, if the universe allows it, we'll be elderly too.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
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 poem has a very interesting story which I will publish in another post.
It's safe to say that its original was written by a woman.
Here is the link to A Crabbit Old Woman or Look Closer: A Viral Poem.
Thank you so much for your visit.
Have you read any of my stories and liked them?
Why not support me by leaving a review on Goodreads and Amazon?
📚
If you haven't read my books and are interested in doing so (English+Romanina), feel free to click on this link. It will take you to an external page (Amazon).
The e-books in Romanian, signed with Cristina Gherghel (no longer Cristina G.), can be found here (Google Play).
Were you looking for my author blog?
It is here.
Credit pictures
Some are from Pixabay, and some others from PNGtree.
In case you are feeling generous and would like to help an author help others, click here.
It will take you to PayPal.
No amount is too little.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
