I was just online and came across this poem. I remember reading it many years ago; I was a young nurse working on an Alzheimer’s Unit. It broke my heart then and still does today.
Creative Common via Shayan (USA)
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!!
~ Author – Dave Griffith ~
We would all do well to remember this poem and these words by a very gifted singer/songwriter – John Prine:
“Ya’ know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder ev’ry day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, “Hello in there, hello.”
I remember reading this years ago and it still means the same today. We must all learn patience with one another and respect the aged. They lived a live so different than we did and made more sacrifices.
Thanks for posting.
That’s very touching!
I know Cheryl, I have such a soft spot for old men, they always seem so lost and helpless.
I read this several years ago as well. As a nurse that encounters the elderly pretty much daily, this poem changed me a long time ago. I cried, first because I am well aware that aging will happen to us all. Whenever I look into the eyes of an ailing senior, the first thought that pops into my head is;”This person was once a vibrant healthy man/woman and it must be so hard to deal with a body that just won’t cooperate any more.” I turned 46 last month and I can almost feel the way they must because my brain still feels like I am 25 and frankly, I don’t know where the years have gone…Thanks for posting this, we could all use such an important reminder! ;-)
Thank you for your thoughtful comments Jeanette and I know what you mean, in my mind I still see myself as being 25 too!
Alright, you realize that I struggled with reading the poem again without crying, but then you threw in the last bit by John Prine and I just broke down!! As a nurse and an “almost senior” I relate to both on many levels. thanks for posting!Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
I know Pat, me too! I still feel 25 until I look in a mirror and think…WHO ARE YOU???
Today I twisted my ankle and grumpy to my son. After reading this through tears, so minor this incident. Thanks for the reminder that others are facing more trials.
I know Eva, certainly puts life into perspective.
This is beautiful.
It is, and it has a special place in my heart.
It broke my heart reading this poem. My dad sings that John Prine song and I am known to break down into tears each time I hear it… very touching post.
Awhhh…thanks Shannon, certainly puts life into perspective.