Friday, December 28, 2012

From J J Cohen who's down under...





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 meagre possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging 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 .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there, too! And if you liked this post , PLEASE LIKE THIS PAGE and continue to be inspired with sayings that lift us and jokes to laugh at. Much love to you all, 

J.J. Cohen
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Addendum:
RE-POST FROM LAST WEEK ---- Hey gang!! There have been many different stories we've heard since "THE CRANKY OLD MAN" POEM was last posted. First, it was by a woman in Scotland, named Phyllis McCormack, A nurse named Kate, originally a man from texas, etc. To be honest we are not sure exactly who wrote it and when at this point. This is about the 4th time though that we have re-posted that photo with the poem in the last year or so, as that is how we found it to begin with and J.J. was extremely touched by it, as were so many people, which we are so happy about. J.J. has stated a few times now that it didn't matter if it was man or woman or if it was written 60 years ago or 60 seconds ago, he originally re-posted it because of the sentiment behind the poem, not the story behind it being written. As a writer, he is sensitive to the needs of writers being credited appropriately, however, so he wanted me to post about it. Hopefully it ends here. We've had some very respectful mentions of where the post may have come from, which we totally appreciate and have gained some fans because of honest conversations...and then there have been some...well, not so respectful...We have read numerous accusations and J.J. has been called a myriad of names (but I won't tell you his favorite. With J.J.'s permission, I am only trying to insert some levity and humor in an awkward situation.) I hope this answers anyone's questions, in case you had any, as it was never our intent to exploit or manipulate in any way. We totally understand if you feel you need to leave the page as sometimes people come and go in our lives and it is what it is. All we ask is that before you go, perhaps look at the whole page, the jokes, the insight and the inspiration. If it's not your cup of tea, we hate to see you go but understand. In closing, we wish you all the best of holidays...Warmth, David, one of the better looking admins for the page ;)
 


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