Nursing homes are difficult places to live and visit.

There is a place
where even money
can not hide
it is a shameful place
where old folks reside

Tied to beds
fed drugs like
dogs about to die
sad is the heart

Blue is their sky
soft the smell of rain
it falls against
their window pain

Children stop and stare
see them tied
to their wheel chair
so they don't fall out

We turn our heads
the other way
but someday
it will be our day

Tied to bed
sores so large
begging god
to make them dead

Still there is no word
no soft call
phones don't ring
down the hall

One nurse and two aides
to care for 40 or more
let one get lost in a store
just shoot them up

Let them be
no one the torture
shall ever see
just because they are old

With or with out gold
we will place them here
look at age with fear
on old folks day a visit

Then run as fast
as we can from there
no time to care
it is a lonely a fare

Close the window
turn out the light
maybe a visit
some other night

I rub her back
I wipe her brow
I walk with her
here and now

With stories she fills
my mind of a gentile time
when work and smile
was her way

I think I'll
visit again today