Friday Musing

A Poem which hopes we will take the time to understand one another's life before we pass judgment.

Cranky Old Man - originally by Phyllis McCormack; adapted by Dave Griffith

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 vigor, 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!!