Her hair is silver and her face is frail,
her life was not easy as you can tell.
She sits on her porch most of the day,
In a wooden rocking chair rocking away.
Not many stop by to even say hello,
they just pass her by, as they go.
She talks to Jesus while sitting there,
in that old wooden rocking chair.
Her husband passed away years ago,
now she lives in this tiny house alone.
She could never have children you see,
no one is here but birds in an old oak tree.
I stop by to visit her from time to time,
letting her know I have her on my mind.
We talk about the hard life she has had,
she talks about the happy times and sad.
The rocking chair she sits in is very old,
it's been there through the heat and cold.
The armrest are worn thin from her hands,
the finish has been wiped away by the sand.
Today I stopped by and saw her sitting there,
the wind was blowing her thin silver hair.
Her chair was not rocking at all today
this lonely old lady had just passed away.
In her lap was a note addressed to me,
it simply said take my chair please.
It holds memories of my visits with you,
Rock in this chair and remember me too.
Author notes
my poems are almost always about my life or my feelings, every now and then I write a poem of dedication for a friend but this one is totally different it is just something that came to me as I thought about what it would be like to grow old all alone! TexasMomma
I commented on ...The Old Apple Tree
A contest entry
- Get out of the rut. by AaronReed.
750 points, ended December 3, 2007, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - And the Masses Burst Forth in Discord! by Oktobere Sahnge.
600 points, ended December 6, 2007, 8 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Anything Goes by Beating.
450 points, ended December 14, 2007, 60 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Your Best Prewrite 2 by Heavenly Angel.
450 points, ended December 10, 2007, 39 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - GIVE ME YOUR BEST!!! ya know ya wanna! by infinitechaos07.
450 points, ended January 10, 2008, 41 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - for the poets who think they can write imagery (pw allowed) by abuyi.
1200 points, ended January 24, 2008, 29 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Anything to Inspire a Lost Soul by SoftlyScreaming.
1200 points, ended June 29, 2008, 41 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Prewrite Heaven by Heavenly Angel.
700 points, ended March 27, 76 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 50 of 50
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Awwww
One never knows whose life they might brighten or whose days may just go a little better if only someone would stop, talk, and give them the time of day
This is a fine piece; talks of just taking time out to talk to someone..something no one seems to have time for or want to do anymore
I enjoyed the read; thank you very much! -
emotional and powerful, I'm not usually a fan of rhyme and it was a little distracting but overall a very solid piece, thank you for taking the time to enter!
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wow... this kept my attention the whole time.. but let me say this, if youre going to rhyme, let it flow.. a lot of the times it sounded forced when it shouldnt have been. this was a beautiful poem and i wish i had your talent.. its a great poem and thank you for entering.
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Got me tore up!
It has been a while since a poem touched me as this one has. You didn’t know it at the time I’m sure, but you wrote this one for someone I know. I thought it was very well written and stirs the emotions. I love to read poems such as this. Although the ending was sad, I was very impressed with the way it turned into a cherished moment. Thank you my dear lady. As Gen. McArthur once said; “I shall return” to read more.
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Brilliant!
Ellan, your work speaks for itself. Touching and sad to read this. I am proud to be one of your many fans! THANKS again!!
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Powerful Piece,
You weaved a very heart-felt dance of memories.
Thanks for sharing here, you sure captivated me.
Love the imagery, and the ink from your pen within.
Peace, Timothy
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This may be your imagination but it must of happened this way so many times to someones elderly relative. There used to be a song similar to this years ago. I think it is a wonderful thing for us to be reminded that not all folk have a loving family to care. A simple, heartfelt write that reaches out to the reader. Very well done.
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Uh...I'm quite reluctant to critique this piece...I would like to know the degree of criticism you can handle. While I will not be rude, I will not sugarcoat my comments either if you should so choose. If you rather I comment gently, please let me know so I can take some tranquilizers and post my still honest comments on this poem.
Thank you for your time and consideration -
Your poem truly made me cry. The words and rhythm are so simple and beautiful that it feels it is written directly from the heart. I have been close to several old people living just like this and dying alone...the melancholy they carry with them is hard to put in words but you just penned it here so well.
I haven't read such an emotional poem in a long time! Sweet, sad, beautiful,touching...these words still don't do it justice.
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thank you for entering such a heartfelt write.. i loved how you presented it.. is ws very beautifull
bets of luck in the contest
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Thank you for entering our contest with this fine poem about lonliness, I'm sure we can all understand the feelings.
Please join us in our future contests, we look forward to your entries....
Sue and Jeff
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This is a Wonderful poem
Excellent Writing. Yes, there are many real people living just like this.
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Thanks for entering my contest and best of luck!
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wow
I like it
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This is beautiful, all of your poetry is so touching. This one is filled with such warm hearted kindness and such cold chilling loneliness at the same time. I am stunned with your works. No words, i just wish there were more then three applause thank you so much for your wonderful work. . i am just going through many of your works now and well.. Wow. - elena
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woah........
i cant even find words to discribe how amazing this is, I could try, but I would fail, its to perfect for words, and now im rambling, three cheers, Evan
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speechless
this reminded me so much of my own mother. beautiful write and lovely piece. such a great story full of imagery. great job!!
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Beautiful, emotional, really great. Love the rhyme and rhythm, and the story. Congratulations and good luck!
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This is brilliant! It tells a story, and I love that very much. I love that you wrote about a rocking chair, for I have also done that. Though this story is really about the woman whose life you touched. It is a beautiful ,touching and sad story. I love this very much.
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Well written poem - a sad story with a note of hope in the passing on of the chair to someone else. Continuity.
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There's a song like this ...
"Rocking Alone In An Old Rocking Chair". It's a good song but I haven't heard it in many years. Odd to see this here now.
Rocking Alone (In An Old Rocking Chair)
The Everly Brothers
Words and Music by Bob Miller
Sitting alone in an old rocking chair
I saw an old mother with silvery hair
She seemed so neglected by those who should care
Rocking alone in an old rocking chair
Her hands were all callused and wrinkled and old
A life of hard work was the story they told
And I thought of angels as I saw her there
Rocking alone in an old rocking chair
Bless her old heart, do you think she'd complain
Though life has been bitter she'd live it again
And carry that cross that is more than her share
Rocking alone in an old rocking chair
It wouldn't take much just to gladden her heart
Just some small remembrance on somebody's part
A letter would brighten her empty life there
Rocking alone in an old rocking chair
I know some youngsters in an orphans' home
Who'd think they owned heaven if she was their own
They'd never be willing to let her sit there
Rocking alone in an old rocking chair
I look at her and I think "What a shame"
The ones who forgot her she loves just the same
And I think of angels as I see her there
Rocking alone in an old rocking chair
Transcribed by Ronald E. Hontz
ronhontz
worldnet.att.net
Anyway, your poem certainly brought back memories.
Thanks for entering and Merry Xmas.
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Absolutely Beautifuly Done.
This is a really thoughtful poem and well done. It is so well written that anyone should be able to see the old woman sitting in her rocking chair on the porch. By your words I can almost read the thoughts that went through her mind as she rocked there. Everyone needs someone and in this you portrayed this beautifully. This is a very beautiful poem and I enjoyed reading it very much.
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Very touching piece. It reminds me of my great grandmother who lived, all her life, in a house with cold running water an outhouse in the back and chamber pots in each bedroom. She was 75 before she learned to use a flush toilet. Good write
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stanza 5, line 3. i think armrest should be plural, no? i usually don't respond to rhyme, but this one wasn't bad at all.
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ack... cries. ull never b old in my eyes hon and dun leave me first. a stunning piece that cuts through the arteries.
hugs,
feral,
xxx -
Beautifully poignant; thank you for sharing and for being a part of this contest!
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tears fall of the sadness and loneliness felt in this piece and the kindness told in this tale!
Once again you amaze me in the tales you weave.
But it did make me feel and that's what poetry is truly about.
Keep penning on one stroke at a time!
Bill
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tempted to say THAT ROCKED but the pun dont fit the sadness...u done good TEX
she'd be proud
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This was just lovely to read!! Wouldn't it be nice if more people just took 5 minutes out of there hectic metro lifestyles to offer a lonely person a warm hello?
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THIS IS JUST THE SWEETEST!!!
Reading this just brought such sweet and loving tears to my eyes It only takes a gesture of kindness to make a huge difference to another.
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Wow ... this so so sad! It's very good as well, but so very depressing. The flow was great and the rhyming was wonderful. I didn't really know where you were going with this at first, and the last two stanzas were a perfect ending. On a scale from one to ten I'd give you a 10. Thank you for entering my contest and good luck!!!
Megan -
Most awesomely written
This one reaches out and touches the heart and soul of your reader
All the best to you in the contests that it's in
Well done! -
wow! what a story! You really wrote this so well, and the rythm made it really good. I'm sorry to say that I can't consider it in the contest, since you broke a rule. Sorry! I still love this piece though. It's sad, yet it's reality for a lot of old people. Anyway, good job on this one! Loved it!
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oh wow, this is really wonderful. It has such a sad yet peaceful feel to it. I just adore this. Thanks for entering.
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STUNNING WRITING!!!!
STUNNING WRITING!!!!!!
BRILLIANT FLOW AND RHYME. WONDERFUL IMAGERY
AND SUCH DEEP SAD EMOTIONS RUNNING THROUGH THIS.
THIS IS S A SIMPLE STORY TOLD SO WELL, ABOUT A FORGOTTEN
OLD WOMAN WHO SITS AND WATCHES THE WORLD PASS HER BY. FROM HER OLD CREAKING ROCKING CHAIR.
HOW EASILY SOME PEOPLE ARE FORGOTTEN, EVEN WHILE STILL ALIVE. WONDERFUL WRITING. YOU ARE VERY VERY GIFTED. KEEP WRITING.
ALL THE BEST
WAYNE
x
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This is so sweet!
I really am touched by this piece. So much emotion, and from a simple thought! I do think 'armrest' should have an 's' since you are speaking of both of them, correct? Bravo, good luck.
Lys, Empress of Pandas
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this was a heart breaker it was emotional for me to read this as i always remembered my grandmother setting in her wooden rocking chair
after the death of my grandfather
this ws sad but written well
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awwwwwwwwww
This is so touching and thought provoking. I think we all fear this. This is no way to grow old and die. I loved the way this was written, it really touched my heart. God bless you, Mark
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I am very glad that you sent me the link to this! It was just fantastic! I adored the rhyming and the imagery was just divine! The picture was a lovely touch as well! Wow... this just totally took my breath away! FABULOUS! Not that you need it but good luck in the contest!
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Marvelous
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It did what many really great poets do, paint a picture with a back story and a sequel all in the same shot. You bring a nestalgic sentimentality through this rocking chair, shaping it into a metaphor for the difference between young/old, live/dead, past/future. My only disagreement is with your rhyme scheme. I would have done alternating rhymes to bring out the rocking motion. But, that might be pedantic, and it doesn't effect the meaning or feeling I get from this piece.
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all i can say is that this poem was GREAT! you did SO very well on this piece, and I enjoyed reading this poem of yours.
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thanks for sharing
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Superb, Excellent, Powerful. Words can't express how well you have captured the time and material for this poem. I have two like unto this one. They are called "Memories" and "Memories Also". Well done poet.
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Thanks for the link,great tale told so very well,much luck in the contest,should do well.
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this is so poignant and sad. I really love the rhyme scheme and the subject too. Well done fellow poet!
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Oh my God! This poem was absolutely amazing and astoundingly heart-felt. I love this poem. It's very sweet and sad at the same time, which just goes to show that this is a situation that could very well happen (Not To You) but to someone, and how much one person can change their perspective and how strong of a impact another can bring. I loved this poem. You did an amazing job with this piece.
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This is really good.The rythme was great and so was the flow.You could picture her there in that old rocking chair.Really great job I enjoyed reading it.
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This is a wonderful poem my dear. It reminded me so much of my grandmother. Good luck in the contest. Cathy
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very nice
I find this is a read that many could relate to although your imagination gave you the tools. as I read this I could see her sititng there with her white hair being so gray an awsome write you have here, I felt I was reading something real and thats what a good writer should beable to do!
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