Cookie-cutter old-folks room,
each day’s the dreary same;
strangers insist, direct and touch
who barely know my name.
The kitchen serves us up in bulk,
"industrial bland" our fare,
and when I return to “my” room
there’s not much of me there.
I miss my beds of roses,
the flags and sweetpeas too,
but most of all, my precious ones,
the hours spent with you!
I miss the noise of children,
of “Mommy, quick! Come see!”
of grandkids at the window
lined up to watch for me.
Your smiles are gentle sunshine,
your words refreshing rain,
your love is harvest to my soul--
O come, revive again!
Author notes
the ache of loneliness has no age limit
A contest entry
- Simple and easy by Cwm.
300 points, ended August 8, 2007, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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I found this poignant. It must be the greatest fear of the aged to be left in some institution for the remainder of their years. Forsaken and alone. I worked for many years in a care facility (where the staff were very caring) but it always had the aura of a displaced persons home. By that I mean that very few of the residents settled...they always thought their loved ones were going to visit, when maybe a visit a year was more the norm. On birthdays and holidays, it was the staff that used to come in on time off and give a small gift ( paid for by themselves). I am not saying that there is a better solution, as many have no family, but for the ones that do, it should be made easier for them to care for their elderly at home if at all possible...sorry, this is turning into a column
A most revealing poem, plenty of room for thought. Thank you for sharing this 
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Thank you cutiepie, for taking the time to read and comment. I also worked in a good aged care facility. I have also seen elderfolk in very good independent and assisted care senior complexes. No one ever takes the place of family, no matter how kind. Hearts seem to carry a special ache only family can soothe. And memories of water do not long satisfy today's thirst...
It is quite a different world, from the other side of the bedrails. I wish people would take time to look ahead more, and then do all they could to live by the Golden Rule. Our thoughts seem to run along the same lines in this matter. Thank you for the feedback
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I miss my beds of roses,
the flags and sweetpeas too,
but most of all, my precious ones,
the hours spent with you!
this is what I would miss
Riftkin -
Finally some orginality that I was looking for! Most people durning this contest bscially copied from my orginal poems, you have turned my previous poem into a totally different topic, thank you for that!
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Oh this is just beautiful and heartbreaking, Diane. My own grandmother's greatest fear is to be put in a long-term care facility, which I have reassured her I would not allow to happen, for the very reasons you have pointed out here. What a lonely, sterile end to a life that has been fashioned after God's own image, and has given so much to others. You have captured my emotion with this one. Excellent work.
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how do write of old age so cleverly..you arnt old . great imagery . beautifully written
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I like the plaintive, wistful tone (although under scored with hard realism)of this. The last line is particularly poignant.
Bill
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Thank you, Bill, for your kind comment and clappies.
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