Embracing Old Age
The
other day, I came across a poem that was written by an older man who was living
in a nursing home. It is a touching
poem, so I've decided to share it with you. Although the poem addresses nurses
specifically, I believe that its message is to everyone, regardless of one's
profession. It is a reminder that, despite our age or state of health, we're
always human beings deep inside.
Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses? . . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . When you're looking at
me?
A crabby 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's 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 . . . 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.
Tis jest to make old age . . . Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . Grace and vigor,
depart.
There is now a stone . . . Where I once had a
heart.
But inside this old carcass . . . A young guy 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 crabby old man . . . Look closer . . . See
ME!!