She is old, alone and wondering where it went wrong,
spending her last years where she doesn’t belong.
Home doesn’t feel like it is her home anymore,
she is trapped and too scared to go out of the door.
At one time she knew all her neighbours by name,
now none of them speak to her so it’s not the same.
No smiles from the women or even a “Good day”,
they rush past, leaving her feeling like she’s in their way.
The men are so different to her, so dark and so loud,
not understanding a word when they get in a crowd.
The babies are adorable with their huge great big eyes,
the older kids frighten her with their threatening cries.
Its nothing like it used to be in the good old days,
everyone she used to know have gone their own ways.
The new people may be nice but they seem so strange,
she’s never travelled far and can’t understand change.
All her life she’s worked hard, always paid her dues
now her pension goes nowhere, price rises confuse.
The bills worry her now, going up far too high,
there is no one left to help or who she can ask why.
Her savings all gone though she was careful and shrewd,
the youngsters in the bank can sometimes be rude.
She thought she had saved very well with her cash
but somehow it vanished in something called a crash.
A lifetime of honesty and hard work, is this her reward?
Somehow I don’t think her faith in the UK is restored.
Old, confused and afraid of how life has turned out,
she won’t be sorry when it’s over, of that there’s no doubt.
Author notes
Photograph from the internet prompted this poem. So true for far too many older people in the UK right now.
A contest entry
- BWOM-Best Write of the Month, #4 with Starz of Heaven, aboomer and islekine by islekine.
1050 points, ended August 1, 16 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 21 of 21
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beautiful...
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Thank you
Sheila
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Oh, mate. I think this can speak for all pensions here as well. This picture speaks so loudly to me and really touched my heart. On my job, we run into the elderly all the time, and you can sense the fears they are feeling. The long for company and just to have someone sit and isten to them. Sometimes I want to just do that instead of my work, but I don't think my boss would like that. Pensions work their lives through paying for all after them to enjoy their lives and then they are forgotten....I believe the governments can shoulder the blame for this. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful piece and congrats on the HM.
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Beautifully penned Mumsie...
Such a mournful & heartfelt narrative that is profound in its truth & powerfully damning in its view of modern Britain... I remember I was always brought up to have respect for my elders & so I've tried to teach that respect to my own children but I fear we are clearly in the minority on that front...
A moving piece that touched me in its depth...
Keep up the good work...
Well done!!!
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Thank you for your comment Fritz. The older we get, the worse humankind seem to get. There are so many medical and technological improvements in life but common sense, honesty, fairness and kindness all seem to have gone. All the things that have no monetary value, that used to be our guide lines of behaviour, have little or no recognition or respect and to my horror, not even considered desirable any more but a sign of weakness. Heaven help our world. Sheila
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A worthy write and so very very true of our times. My heart goes out to the elderly of this country who have to struggle to fit in and yet fing themselves left behind or pushed aside and overlooked. Well written you.
My aunt Lou is in hospital following a fall and has Dementia-she is totally disorientated and I feel so helpless at times like these-
Beautifully written-
Hilly x
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Sorry about the delay in thanking you for your kind comment Hilly. I have had the most wonderful few days with an old pal in my home town. Such wonderful childhood memories shared. Sheila
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All i can really say is "wow"... I know it s a generic phrase used way too often on AP but that is the first word that popped to mind.
Your story in rhyme is amazing Shelia!
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Hi there Nicole, thank you for your very welcome comment. Sorry about the delay but I have been away to be with an old friend from childhood in my home town after 40 or more years. I hope to get caught up with everyone soon. Sheila
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wow - great impact and so true, unfortunately.
I think especially for an older person 9and also those who are sick, down on luck, going through a rough time) - things just seem so unfair, so unjust at times.
Again, especially for an older person (like myself....lol) who can look back and see all the changes and when they occurred, and no longer understanding much of anything...as nothing makes sense like it use to, and it just seems like those in power just keep grabbing more, trampling underneath them those they feel don't matter anymore....and the morals and ethics seemed to have changed so much over the years.....the peaceful, simple life of long ago is but a distant memory...
Wonderful write, very powerful in impact. I much enjoyed this.
thank you for your entry
best wishes in the contest
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Thank you for your kind comment on my poem "Reward". I have been away for a while and I am still frantically trying to catch up on all things on the computer. I hope to get back to joining in the competitions again very soon. Sheila
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This is sad but true the world is not the best place many are overlooked and under cared for this indeed is a write where I am left here thinking what is wrong with the world the government and human kindness and love thanks for your entry best to you always be well.
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Thank you for your welcome comment Starz. This world of ours is a beautiful place but if you get left behind on the materialistic ladder of success by illness, age, unfair treatment, through no fault of your own, you get cast aside. Not to be confused with those who are happy to just take any handouts or who know how to work the system for any freebies going. Sheila
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Wonderful write!
AND this is not just the case in the UK, we in the US have the same problem....unfortunately, I think it is probably world-wide, as we figure out ways to live longer...and as the money game collapses on the idiots that got it all rolling! We all are but pawns in that one...it has more impact on the older folks. Best wishes in the contest and always! Thanks for your continued support!
and
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Thank you Islekine for your very welcome comment. I expect this is happening in many countries all over the world but, of course, I only have first hand experience of it here in the UK. Most people don't want to see it, don't even know that it goes on at all, also arrogant enough to assume that it is someones own fault if they have nothing. The compassion of Modern Mankind! Sheila
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Fantastic
This one is not only bang on the button and true to the last letter it's faultlessly
written and a fantastic poem in every way Sheila,A joy to read...George...
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Thank you George, you see the endless faces too of the old and worried in every city, town and village in the UK. Those who are trapped by fear in their own homes by things they can't understand, people they can't understand and a way of falling into debt that they can't understand. A proud generation who only bought what they could afford and always respected the laws now see all their values ridiculed. Now can only wonder why some appear to be given everything for doing nothing at all but hold out their hand, while their worn, hardworking hands are ignored. How did it get to this? Sheila.
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Her face wrinkled with a lifetime of care and now she is a symbol of a world gone mad. I can personally relate to this, the saddest of poems. A life time of work and caring should have a real reward of peace and tranquility as it fades away.
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Thank you very much Bob for your comment here. I am also afraid of what is in store for me as the years tick by. I thought my retirement would be reasonable but it is far from it and getting much worse and no chance of improving it by any work, there is not enough of that around for anyone. A world gone mad, yes that is just what it is, or do every older generation always say the same thing? Sheila
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A passionate and sad , but true poem and story .
Captivating is your penning , eloquently expressed
throughout , the message melancholy and clear ...
Thank you for sharing today , a pleasure to read ..
Best wishes & hugs , Friend Easy
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Hi there Easy, thank you for your very welcome comment. I wish we could award the stars we wish and not those forced upon us. It won't make any difference to how much anyone wants to write. Unfortunately the subject of my poem is so common now and I wonder where things are going even for me. Nice to see your picture. Sheila
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