Blessings

Not Just A Cranky Old Man

Chapter 26: Not Just A Cranky Old Man

Quote of the Day: "Whoever is not kind to the younger ones or does not respect the elders is not from my nation."

~Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

 "Respect old people: they graduated highschool without Google or Wikipedia." 

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. It so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this ‘anonymous’ poem that is spreading across the Internet:

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.