Just because I am old... Does that mean I can't enjoy life anymore? Why do I have to go to a nursing home? You decided for me, behind a closed door. Are you afraid of catching old age syndrome?
Just because I am old... And dribble a little when I eat, And am not as steady on my feet, And arthritis turns my joints to stone, And my mind wanders off on its own...
Just because I am old... Why did they take my driver's license away? I was a good driver. I still am, in fact. But in that matter, I did not have a say. You said my reflexes were slow to react.
Just because I am old... And forget to pay my bills sometimes, And don't eat as much, to save a dime, And can't remember to take my pills, And don't like your music, it's too shrill...
Just because I am old... I feel like you just want to get rid of me. You don't give a damn to what I'd like to do. You will get old one day, if you are lucky. What you've done to me, hope someone does to you.
A powerful shout, Karla. You are a voice for elderly who have been denied the right to decide for themselves. I hope this message will be heard all over the world, especially in those countries where the elderly are put on nursing homes.
Reviewed by Ron (sketchman) Axelson (Reader)
Reviewed on July 25, 2004
I was raised up to respect the older one's.
My Mom will not go to a home, because I will
take care of her till death.
Dad is dead....
Your friend......Ron
You have a great heart karla........
Karla, I'll just say that neither one of my elderly parents is in a nursing home; however, I'm not able to be with them either and worry about the future.
From a writing perspective, it's a solid poem. Well done.
Reviewed by Fletcher Bailey (Reader)
Reviewed on July 25, 2004
Yes, I think more people should consider what age is before tey persecute and mistreat old people, lest it happen to them...horray for your poem...Fletcher B
Reviewed by Dana Matthews (Reader)
Reviewed on July 25, 2004
This is a poem that informs, teaches
and warns humanity of its own demise
if the course is not changed!
My friends sister works in a nursing home. I'll have to let you know that some of the folks in there are very very old, so they cannot be cared for my their children as their own children ARE getting old too, so the guilt trip that laid on those children who can hardly look after themselves is harsh. I don't agree to this.
Some only put them in the nursing home, so they can be cared for by doctors, laundry get washed, round the clock medicals, three meals a day. If you have a maid to come into the house just to do the housework for these very old folks, and then have to paid for the maid's room and board, and then they have to go on vacation, don't work on weekends, then the employers have to pay for the maid's health care....you can pretty well get the picture.
People used to think that putting a parent in a nursing is awful, but they don't realize it is done because they love their parents and wants them to have the best of care. Where else can you get this kind of care?...doctors in the house, round the clock care, maid service to do your laundry, three meals a day? Where?
I'm saying this because I know the true reasons, because their children are also very old that it will be of danger to care of their parents by themselves.
But don't be mistaken, I'm not ready to put my mom in one yet, for we're both young. But when we both get too old to care for each other, I'm sure she'll want to go to one by herself. Sometimes it might even be more fun in there as they make new friends of their own age.
Just my 2 cents of opinion.
Sandie May Angel
Reviewed by Anna Marie Fritz (Reader)
Reviewed on July 25, 2004
A most insightful poem, Karla. Brava!
I have to tell you a little story here. I used to do poetry readings
at a local nursing home (until they changed owners there), and there
was this one old fella who was sharp as a steak knife. He let everyone know, by all kinds of cute-funny things he did, that he wasn't the old
senile man his family thought he was. It was a joy to watch him outwit
the nurses and staff (though not a joy to THEM!), and one time, when
told he had "better settle down, because you are not getting out of here," he waited for when he knew the UPS man needed the door opened for him, opened the door for the guy, then wheeled himself downtown to the ice cream parlor for a double cone.He had told the UPS man that he wanted to just get a bit of sunshine, like usual, so would HE return the favor, and hold the door open for him on his way back from delivering the packages? The old man (Lawrence), came back smilingall through the "SCOLDINGS," and I chuckled all the way home that day!
What we do to our elderly is a downright disgrace; yet, this is what happens when we get old. Heartbreaking write that captures the helplesness and pain felt by our seniors at the hands of those who don't know what it is like to get old or understand the needs surrounding our elderly! Thanks for sharing this powerful, hard-hitting write! BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :( >tears <
"Just because I am old...
I feel like you want to get rid of me.
You don't give a damn to what I'd like to do.
You will get old one day, if you are lucky.
Waht you've done to me, hope someone does to you."
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
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God Bless
Michelle
P.S This gave me an idea for a poem
My Mom will not go to a home, because I will
take care of her till death.
Dad is dead....
Your friend......Ron
You have a great heart karla........
Love Tinka
From a writing perspective, it's a solid poem. Well done.
and warns humanity of its own demise
if the course is not changed!
POWER, POIGNANT WRITING!
D a n a M a t t h e w s
My friends sister works in a nursing home. I'll have to let you know that some of the folks in there are very very old, so they cannot be cared for my their children as their own children ARE getting old too, so the guilt trip that laid on those children who can hardly look after themselves is harsh. I don't agree to this.
Some only put them in the nursing home, so they can be cared for by doctors, laundry get washed, round the clock medicals, three meals a day. If you have a maid to come into the house just to do the housework for these very old folks, and then have to paid for the maid's room and board, and then they have to go on vacation, don't work on weekends, then the employers have to pay for the maid's health care....you can pretty well get the picture.
People used to think that putting a parent in a nursing is awful, but they don't realize it is done because they love their parents and wants them to have the best of care. Where else can you get this kind of care?...doctors in the house, round the clock care, maid service to do your laundry, three meals a day? Where?
I'm saying this because I know the true reasons, because their children are also very old that it will be of danger to care of their parents by themselves.
But don't be mistaken, I'm not ready to put my mom in one yet, for we're both young. But when we both get too old to care for each other, I'm sure she'll want to go to one by herself. Sometimes it might even be more fun in there as they make new friends of their own age.
Just my 2 cents of opinion.
Sandie May Angel
I have to tell you a little story here. I used to do poetry readings
at a local nursing home (until they changed owners there), and there
was this one old fella who was sharp as a steak knife. He let everyone know, by all kinds of cute-funny things he did, that he wasn't the old
senile man his family thought he was. It was a joy to watch him outwit
the nurses and staff (though not a joy to THEM!), and one time, when
told he had "better settle down, because you are not getting out of here," he waited for when he knew the UPS man needed the door opened for him, opened the door for the guy, then wheeled himself downtown to the ice cream parlor for a double cone.He had told the UPS man that he wanted to just get a bit of sunshine, like usual, so would HE return the favor, and hold the door open for him on his way back from delivering the packages? The old man (Lawrence), came back smilingall through the "SCOLDINGS," and I chuckled all the way home that day!
Wonderful write
Hugz
Peter Paton
What we do to our elderly is a downright disgrace; yet, this is what happens when we get old. Heartbreaking write that captures the helplesness and pain felt by our seniors at the hands of those who don't know what it is like to get old or understand the needs surrounding our elderly! Thanks for sharing this powerful, hard-hitting write! BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :( >tears <
"Just because I am old...
I feel like you want to get rid of me.
You don't give a damn to what I'd like to do.
You will get old one day, if you are lucky.
Waht you've done to me, hope someone does to you."
Those lines say it all! OUTSTANDING!!