Cranky Old Man
And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this
'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
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!!