Their footsteps have become lighter
more slow with age and time
they cling to each the other
down hallways with floors that shine
A temporary place to call home
unlike the memories they see
of an old homeplace sitting alone
in the shade of a big, maple tree
And the happy sounds of laughter
still echoes across the years
the yearning for yesterdays stir
bringing sweet memories and tears
The children are now grown
with no time to visit or call
every night and waking dawn
is passing since they were small
Someone's mom and dad of gray
is wrinkled, tired and worn
waiting so patiently for the day
to be with family they raised and born
Time has gone its swift, sure way
the floors bring no comfort to shine
soon they'll walk another day
in a home of a far lasting kind
Susie Swanson, 2012
This brought a tear to my eyes tonight. My husband and I went to dinner, and noticed an older couple at the table next to us. I exchanged a smile with the woman...later we seen the same couple at walmart...I couldn't help but think about how we might remind them of themselves twenty-thirty years ago.
ReplyDelete~God Bless~ Lisa
Thank you Lisa, I know what you mean. I love them dearly. I guess that's why I write about them so much.. I am drawn to them. There are so many just getting by with no family at all or none to care.. It's so sad..
DeleteToo many parents grow old unappreciated. Childless couples can have it even worse.
ReplyDeleteYes they do Gorges and It's so sad..
DeleteOh Susie,
ReplyDeleteIt is not easy for the elderly as they grow old and long for their children to visit. This is such a nice poem to remind the young to visit the precious parents who raised them and spent special time with them. Thank you for sharing this. My mom was with all of her kids when she passed away, and I do hope that I am blessed in the same way.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Oh I do to Sheri. I was blessed with having my mom and dad with us when they passed away.. My dad for some reason hated to visit Nursing homes.. He loved getting to see his old friends but it saddened him so . I guess it was that fear of thinking he might wind up there.. I'm so happy he didn't have to..
DeleteA very moving post Susie!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth, I'm happy to say I found your other blog and will enjoy it very much.
DeleteVery touching poem, Susie. It's sad what happens to so many who are forgotten as they get older.
ReplyDeleteThank you Daisy, yes it is very sad.
DeleteThis made me cry. I remember the visits to my mother in the nursing home. There were so many who spent everyday without friends or family to visit them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susie and it's sad.
DeleteAs I grow older, I begin thinking about what it's going to be like; do I live here, or there? Mama passed away before having to face that decision, but Daddy had to go, and I think he hated every minute of it as long as his mind was good. We don't see our children very often; they're much too busy trying to make a living or taking kids to school events.
ReplyDeleteThis was an excellent poem!
I think we all think of that as we grow older.Thank you.
DeleteVery moving words.
ReplyDeleteHi Susie, this poem is so beautiful and thought provoking. You have such a special way of describing and giving voice to people who often go through life unnoticed. You take their hearts and connect them to the hearts of your readers. Not many people can write like that, it is really a gift. I hope that you are having a nice weekend so far and enjoying the cooler weather. It is still pretty warm down here during the day. Most of our woods are made up of pines trees that stay evergreen all year, with just a sprinkle of trees that change color. The cotton is just beginning to bloom and it is sure going to be pretty in another 3 weeks or so. I saw a field the other day that looked like tobacco, but I'm not hundred percent sure. The leaves were turning yellow it was so beautiful and the crops rolled out for what seemed like endless acres. We are getting ready for our County Fair to be held in Statesboro Oct 15 -20. They have a lot of fun things to do for the kids, i would like to enter a few of my knitted pieces this year and try for a blue ribbon It is fun to watch what everyone else is making . At our fair grounds they have old historic buildings and old timey farm houses that are real fun to go tour. I think that is my most favorite part. Well that and the animals! Have a fun day tomorrow! With Love, Delisa :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you Delisa. This means the world to me, coming from a wonderful writer like you..I can just vision that pretty, white cotton and I hope you win that blue ribbon..If you don't those judges need to put on their glasses.. I would love to be there..Hugs.
DeleteBeautiful, Susie, just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Anne
Thank you Anne.
DeleteBeautiful,,,happy bloging
ReplyDeletesukses dengan amal agama
Susie, I like this poem...it is true. The old are sometimes forgotten, that is sad.Smiles to you, Susie
ReplyDeleteThank you Susie. They are and it's so sad..Smiles to you.
DeleteThis was so touching, Susie... I have a dear great aunt in a nursing home and it's so sad to go and visit her because I'm reminded of how many lonely people there are in the world....
ReplyDelete