"The Forgotten"

Thoughts from a visit to a nursing home.

         'The Forgotten'

Just an old man, with nothing to do,
Put in a home...unwanted by you.
Tied into a wheelchair, as he can't walk,
No one to listen...so he rarely talks.

On visiting day, no one comes here,
He watches the people but no one walks near.
He searches the faces, he tries to look meek.
But silently a tear...rolls down his cheek.

Perhaps they are all busy, or something is wrong;
Why have they all... stayed away so long?
Where are his children, he has quite a few?
Now visitors are leaving...but no one he knew.

Where are his grandchildren that he loves so dear;
Are they ill, is that why no one comes near?
He remembers the times, when they were small,
Giving them spending money, tossing a ball.

Taking them fishing...now those were the days!
Lots of fun before they put him away.
Now...just what was the reason that he came here?
What did he do, his memory is not clear?

He waits for the postman each day when he comes.
They pass out letters, for him again...'not one.'
He wheels himself slowly back to his room;
Loneliness sets in, again tears start to loom.

Why is he here, 'God just what did I do?
Lord this is so lonely, can I come Home to You?'

Reviews

[SmittyJas]

Well written and many have this fate I only hope some day I'm not one of them.

[Leslie Philibert]

I don`t review all the work you send, but always pick one poem out. This is excellent, with a Beatles like theme, you have a good poetic eye for sad situations, fine write this...

[sereenaoutloud]

sad but so very true for so many ! great write valentine :)

[Coyote Poetry]

A very sad poem. My mother worked in the Nursing home for 40 years. I would bring my kids on holidays. The old folks loved the kids. To be forgotten and left alone. Would be a sad place to be. Thank you dear Poet for sharing the powerful and true words and poetry.
Coyote

[Valentine]

Yes, they do love it when the youngsters come in. Kids will sit on their laps and talk away. Kathie

[Woody]

a sad and touching write. how children can abandon their aging parents in nursing homes beats me.
you're a poetess with a big heart.

[Valentine]

Many do in the U.S., in some countries the elders are honored. Our church members go to the nursing homes and sing for the old people, they love hearing it. Kathie

[Woody]

very commendable gesture.

[Mars Bear]

sad write and sadly seems a reality for so many. Pushed out of sight and out of mind. Nice, simplistic rhymes that really added to the sadness.

[Valentine]

More a story write I suppose. I just write, if it rhymes fine if not fine, I did not study writing, I inherited the family trait. My mom and grandmother were published poets. Kathie

[~]

This is a sad poem. I have seen this with my own eyes.. I will never leave my parents or my parents in law in a hopeless place.

[Valentine]

Sadly, some are too ill to be home. My mom was neglected in a home as she was very ill and had to have surgery...she was in there for recovery from surgery before she could come home. They placed her on the toilet ant forgot her. She tried and tried to get help. GETTING UP SHE FELL. She told us of the fall, that fall caused a blood clot that killed her. No one would come to get her off of that toilet. They were ALL AT LUNCH!!!!!!! B.S. Kathie

[~]

ohhh :( sad..

[R Smith]

beautiful work Kathie, of course sad and melancholy but you weaved your magic and made this poem a work of true quality :)

[Valentine]

More should visit the homes. Even strangers will be welcomed like family.

[armin]

This is a bitter truth, a said story the end made eyes damp.

armin. ...

[Valentine]

Many will live this write, that is the sad part. Just visit a nursing home. Kathie

[catwoman]

it is certainly sad to be put away from one's own family..it was a really nice poem..

[Valentine]

If they are mentally sound, visit them or bring them to your home>