Only read this if you are quite young?

reply to post by dr treg


beautiful poem. have you ever seen the music video for "veronica" by elvis costello? beautiful song about getting older

Truly moving. Thank you for posting.

The poem touches on something all but removed from modern culture: wisdom.

I read this when a child, and have sought to live with it in view all my days:

"...youth and the prime of life are fleeting.
So remember your Creator in the days of your youth:
Before the days of adversity come,
and the years approach when you will say,
“I have no delight in them”;
before the sun and the light are darkened,
and the moon and the stars,
and the clouds return after the rain;
on the day when the guardians of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
the women who grind cease because they are few,
and the ones who watch through the windows see dimly,
the doors at the street are shut
while the sound of the mill fades;
when one rises at the sound of a bird,
and all the daughters of song grow faint.
Also, they are afraid of heights and dangers on the road;
the almond tree blossoms,
the grasshopper loses its spring,
and the caper berry has no effect;
for man is headed to his eternal home,
and mourners will walk around in the street;
before the silver cord is snapped,
and the gold bowl is broken,
and the jar is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel is broken into the well;
and the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it."


(Taken from the book of Ecclesiastes.) Take a second look; "women who grind" is not just a reference to ancient culture. Think toothy-pegs. And if you slow down to consider each phrase, more will emerge...

When you live to gratify the body, its eventual deterioration will leave you with a feeling of futility, despite the fact you are the same precious person inside. When you live to feed your soul and gratify your Maker, bodily deterioration and eventually its demise become of little consequence as the soul begins to soar in expectation of its release from decay into realms of glory. For even if those who surround you perceive you as decrepit, the One who will receive you loves you.

reply to post by dr treg


That was beautiful... thank you!

I work in geriatrics actually...

This brought tears to my eyes...

reply to post by dr treg


Truly a beautiful poem, and a clear reminder how fleeting and precious life is. I thank you for sharing such literary art with us.

We will all be old 1 day. Nearly brought a tear to my eye and i am not 1 for poems etc.

Very lovely indeed... But can't we fight old age with steroids and growth hormones and all that? Instead of shriveling up like a dried tomato just go to your doctor and get the good stuff!

reply to post by dr treg
knew i saw that poem before! i used to work in a dementia unit up in inverness (not too far from dundee) and on one of the awareness courses i did, we had to read that poem

Wow, for a minute as I read this there was something beating in my chest, does anyone know what that could be?....I'll have to have that looked at. This poem would soften anyone up, old women get a reprieve from me now. I will no longer dream of hi-jacking your wheelchair and going on a joy ride. I promise .

reply to post by dr treg
It seems made up story, or thats my first impression of it. But beautiful poem anyway..*sniff*

Thank you OP, I'm printing it out and pinning it up in the hospital I work in. If all carers read this maybe we wouldn't have so many cases of elderly patient neglect. Unfortunately some nurses escorting patients to my department don't even know the name of the person they're caring for. This lady's poem should see many of us make more effort!

reply to post by WeekendWarrior


Really? A "made up" story.....How in the name of all that is good did you get "the impression" that this story is "made up".....What is the "angle"? Why make it up when it should be fairly obvious that this type of thing happens ALL the time! I am sure things like this poem are found in the belongings of people in these situations/places nearly everyday around the world......It just so happens that the nurses were touched and decided to spread it.....then it hit the net somehow.....boom, we all see it!
OR....."they" could be "making it up" to........hum.........to get us to love and care for the elderly??
Get real!

OP.....very touching poem this woman wrote....Thanks for posting. I even snagged it and posted it on my fb for everyone to read. Many may find sorrow and sadness in this poem....but for some reason it gives me "hope"....and lifts me up. Not sure why....that is just how it affects my soul. Thanks again for posting.

reply to post by dr treg


When I was ten I bought ice cream,
And bought it again when I was fifteen!

Originally posted by WeekendWarrior
reply to post by dr treg

 

It seems made up story, or thats my first impression of it. But beautiful poem anyway..*sniff*

Was waiting to see how long it would take for a "debbie downer" to hit this beautiful thread.

Im 27, and could care less if this was a made up story or not. Either way this hit me hard. Any younger person who can open their heart and mind up will truly be touched by this and realize life is what you make it, so make it a good one. And if you experience one thing on this crazy planet, I hope it is love.

Dont mind getting old, mind the ignortant youth that thinks they are better for no reason

reply to post by CaticusMaximus


Take care of yourself, and look into the diets we were genetically geared to eat. The ailments that cause all of those things are not inevitable, by any means. They are diseases of affluence brought on by unnatural diets. When our ancestors made it to old age (due to somewhat violent lifestyles), their bones and teeth were strong.

reply to post by dr treg


I never brush anybody aside, well unless they smell

But I understand the gist: don't confuse the carcase (eeek!) with the mind within. True!

Come on guys, it's as if we are still wired to think that 40 is the end (as has been for a long time). Now we have talk about 120 being a natural limit and o well with technology we extend life to 150, 200.

reply to post by dr treg
Sadly I doubt the young people that do read this will ever see the age this person has reached.

Just a deeply sad observation and opinion,

As a human, I felt myself gulp upon finishing this piece.

As a high school English teacher (not to suggest that such professionals are inhuman), I noticed how the poem is metrically flawless. That woman was a true poet. I give her an A+.

Originally posted by Starwise

Originally posted by CaticusMaximus

Originally posted by mnmcandiez
I don't wanna get old

When one gets to the "adult diaper" phase of ones life, I think the signal is clear: its time to move on.

Dont be so certain, there are many reasons why one would need to wear a diaper in their fifties or sixties. Just because you have a bladder or neurological illness does not mean you are ready to end your life...Come on now..

Be realistic, you know what is being meant here, becoming nothing but a burden to yourself and everyone you know is not very nice, i see many MANY people doing it, and all you EVER hear about is there latest doctor's visit and how much pain and agony was experienced that day , week whatever.

I WISH these people would either get better, (I.E. stop reveling in the illnesses they have) or leave and let the incredible amount of people that they are HURTING while attempting to keep them alive,, take a break and realize they have a life that does not need to be based around someone who only brings them down... yes i know it sounds tough and harsh.

BUT IT IS TRUE.

reply to post by Jakal26
You know the posters for save the wildlife, ones where there is a picture of a cute animal and a text put next to a photo? Thats what I meant and sorry if it hurts your feelings somehow, I dont get it?
Im no anti-elder, but its just the impression it gives me. No offese meant here. Some people..