Who Really Cares?
Free verse22 total reviews
Comment from Dean Kuch
This is certainly a sad poem. The saddest most disheartening thing about this is that elderly people--much like the one you've written about here in your contest entry--are all too real, and far too common. Discarded cast-offs, left to wither and die in a place which cares little more about them than who will be signing the checks to pay for their room and board.
Raw, emotionally driven and powerfully poignant, I see this as being a very strong contender in the Human Aging poetry contest.
Good luck to you!
~Dean
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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This is certainly a sad poem. The saddest most disheartening thing about this is that elderly people--much like the one you've written about here in your contest entry--are all too real, and far too common. Discarded cast-offs, left to wither and die in a place which cares little more about them than who will be signing the checks to pay for their room and board.
Raw, emotionally driven and powerfully poignant, I see this as being a very strong contender in the Human Aging poetry contest.
Good luck to you!
~Dean
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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Thanks so much Dean, although recent experience in contests leaves me a wee bit, um, disgruntled for want of a better word lol!
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Well, perhaps the results will work out much better for you this time around. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
~Dean
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We shall see Dean! But maybe one shouldn't bother with contests, because unless one wins or does well, one's ego gets a tiny bit bruised lol!
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Well, you've got a point there.
But I just voted for ya, see, which puts you ahead 2 votes to one. Hopefully it'll help you pull out a win as I felt yours was the best entry.
~Dean
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Well, perhaps the results will work out much better for you this time around. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
~Dean
Comment from patcelaw
So many of our elderly spent their youth raising families and poured their whole heart into being good parents and many went without to provide for their offspring. So the pay back is children that make sure they are too busy to have to visit the elders in the care units. We have all the tech stuff and the kids fail to even wish mothers and fathers even a happy new year. How do I know? I am one of those elders who have not heard a wish for a happy new year from any of my children. I am a bit miffed as I did without so much for them as children and yet they haven't time to make a simple phone call to their mother. Patricia
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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So many of our elderly spent their youth raising families and poured their whole heart into being good parents and many went without to provide for their offspring. So the pay back is children that make sure they are too busy to have to visit the elders in the care units. We have all the tech stuff and the kids fail to even wish mothers and fathers even a happy new year. How do I know? I am one of those elders who have not heard a wish for a happy new year from any of my children. I am a bit miffed as I did without so much for them as children and yet they haven't time to make a simple phone call to their mother. Patricia
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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It happens sadly. This busy world demands so much of our kids' attention that they forget. But one day, you won't be there, and then there'll be so much regret. I hope things improve for you before that happens! Thanks for your kind and thoughtful review xoxoxoxoxo
Comment from Leineco
I wonder sometimes, if this is the first age of man wherein we strive to escape the evidence of aging by "benevolently" consigning our elderly into the hands of strangers. Not so much forgotten, as removed from our sight. Is this the real reason we have obsessively chased after medicine's to save human lives... so that we do not need to carry guilt, because we have "arranged" to have a special care ward for them?
While I admit, I was not in the least prepared for what it takes to care for an aging and infirm parent - when the call came, I rearranged my life, to be there for my dad 24/7 . What I learned, by being there, during the months and years was worth everything I sacrificed.
Conversely, I absolute understand the difficulty (even impossibility) of either being a caretaker child, or being able to handle (emotionally) the devastation it can entail.
It's a difficult question to answer.
However, I do think you have written a very compelling narrative of how it feels from the "stricken's" side.
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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I wonder sometimes, if this is the first age of man wherein we strive to escape the evidence of aging by "benevolently" consigning our elderly into the hands of strangers. Not so much forgotten, as removed from our sight. Is this the real reason we have obsessively chased after medicine's to save human lives... so that we do not need to carry guilt, because we have "arranged" to have a special care ward for them?
While I admit, I was not in the least prepared for what it takes to care for an aging and infirm parent - when the call came, I rearranged my life, to be there for my dad 24/7 . What I learned, by being there, during the months and years was worth everything I sacrificed.
Conversely, I absolute understand the difficulty (even impossibility) of either being a caretaker child, or being able to handle (emotionally) the devastation it can entail.
It's a difficult question to answer.
However, I do think you have written a very compelling narrative of how it feels from the "stricken's" side.
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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I wonder this too. Are we so afraid of ageing, that we can't stand to see it right before our very eyes? I always thought I'd age gracefully, but as I get closer to turning 54, and seeing what happens to the elderly in our workplace, I am growing to fear it, and that's sad, very sad indeed. It wouldn't be an easy job to be a carer, but boy, the alternative is to cast our parents aside while we get on with our busy lives. And that, also, is very sad indeed! Thanks for such a thoughtful, perceptive and relative review! Cheers xoxoxoxoxo
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
That is one of the terrible down sides of aging. People forget you are still a human being with feelings and needs. Good luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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That is one of the terrible down sides of aging. People forget you are still a human being with feelings and needs. Good luck with the contest.
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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Yep, once you get "useless", you're an idiot; one to be tolerated. We don't put our pets through the suffering and indignity we put our elderly through, and pass it off as "duty of care". What a crock! It's preserving life at all costs, and keeping those $$ rolling in. Thank you Sandra, for your kind comments and review. Cheers xoxoxoxoxoox
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I am in a wheelchair myself, although my daughter take care of me, and I can imagine how people must feel when they are dumped at a place and left to be forgotten
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
A very moving story in rhyme. As someone who works in care you are well placed to see this kind of thing first hand. It is true we do not look after our elderly in the western world. It's quite frightening -
So don't judge me for a silly old bugger, or a fool
For one day, it could be you in this damnable chair
pondering on where the years went, as you gaze
out the same window; lying in this same bed
staring at the ceiling and wondering:
Does anyone care about what you're feeling?
You give us an alarm call. Very well written. Yes, we have a lot to answer for.
Regards Dorothy
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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A very moving story in rhyme. As someone who works in care you are well placed to see this kind of thing first hand. It is true we do not look after our elderly in the western world. It's quite frightening -
So don't judge me for a silly old bugger, or a fool
For one day, it could be you in this damnable chair
pondering on where the years went, as you gaze
out the same window; lying in this same bed
staring at the ceiling and wondering:
Does anyone care about what you're feeling?
You give us an alarm call. Very well written. Yes, we have a lot to answer for.
Regards Dorothy
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 03-Jan-2016
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Thank you Dorothy. I hadn't meant this to be an "alarm call" but still, I see this every day at work and it is starting to weigh on me. Being busy is one thing; being neglectful entirely another. Nursing homes and multi-function facilities like ours are understaffed and pushed to their limits. How on earth can we be adequate substitutes for the care of family for these poor people? Nah, aged care - like health - is too profit orientated these days, just like the western world we live in. Many thanks! xoxoxoxoxox
Comment from Loyd C. Taylor, Sr
That was a pretty awesome piece, heat touch and so very true. My best to you, poet friend.
I wish you a very wonderful and Happy New Year!
Thanks for using my artwork, Loyd C. Taylor, Sr.
By the way, I have a poem posted on Fanstory, titled, "Kate and her Raggedy Ann." You might enjoy it.
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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That was a pretty awesome piece, heat touch and so very true. My best to you, poet friend.
I wish you a very wonderful and Happy New Year!
Thanks for using my artwork, Loyd C. Taylor, Sr.
By the way, I have a poem posted on Fanstory, titled, "Kate and her Raggedy Ann." You might enjoy it.
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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Thanks Loyd, for those six stars! And thank you again for the use of your artwork :) A happy and prosperous New Year to you xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
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Good day to you. You are very welcome, LOyd
Comment from Jacob Collins
I thought that this was a well written piece for the human aging contest, you caught the mind of the elderly person well, especially how they were feeling when they were seeing people passing by. A well written piece, good luck in the contest...Jacob
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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I thought that this was a well written piece for the human aging contest, you caught the mind of the elderly person well, especially how they were feeling when they were seeing people passing by. A well written piece, good luck in the contest...Jacob
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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Thank you very much Jacob xoxoxoxoxo
Comment from William Ross
This is very good and so well written A really great job on this. Wishing the best with this in the contest. Hope you had safe and happy holidays.
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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This is very good and so well written A really great job on this. Wishing the best with this in the contest. Hope you had safe and happy holidays.
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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Thanks so much William! Cheers xoxoxoxoxox
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Well written poem that paints a vivid picture of one of Modern society's worst plights: elderly abuse and neglect.
Many families, although well meaning, do get caught up in the daily rat race, and the grind of trying to make a living so often leads them to not treating the elderly like they should.
These people are not dead...yet.
They still have a lot to offer if only people would stop and smell the roses they possess.
Loyd C, Taylor, Senior does have quite an exceptional array of photographs available on FanArtReview. Have uses several of his myself.
Should be a good contest entry.
An eye-opener any way.
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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Well written poem that paints a vivid picture of one of Modern society's worst plights: elderly abuse and neglect.
Many families, although well meaning, do get caught up in the daily rat race, and the grind of trying to make a living so often leads them to not treating the elderly like they should.
These people are not dead...yet.
They still have a lot to offer if only people would stop and smell the roses they possess.
Loyd C, Taylor, Senior does have quite an exceptional array of photographs available on FanArtReview. Have uses several of his myself.
Should be a good contest entry.
An eye-opener any way.
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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Thanks Brett. I'm glad you caught what I was saying; that families try their best, but in the end, our elderly are shut away and forgotten to a fair degree due to the daily rat race. Mr Taylor's picture was apt I thought, so I'm also glad you noticed that too!
Cheers
Chris
xoxoxoxox
Comment from Domino 2
I take my hat off to you for doing such a worthwhile, necessary and caring job.
This is a bit long for my reading concentration levels, but...
I guess you're a Brit like me, with your use of the phrase, 'silly old bugger'. ;-)
You convey the frustration and desperation of this once strong and proud man and father, extremely well, as his memories fade but he still retains some special ones.
Dignity is a terrible thing to lose.
Keep up your excellent occupation.
Top post.
Best wishes, Ray'
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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I take my hat off to you for doing such a worthwhile, necessary and caring job.
This is a bit long for my reading concentration levels, but...
I guess you're a Brit like me, with your use of the phrase, 'silly old bugger'. ;-)
You convey the frustration and desperation of this once strong and proud man and father, extremely well, as his memories fade but he still retains some special ones.
Dignity is a terrible thing to lose.
Keep up your excellent occupation.
Top post.
Best wishes, Ray'
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 02-Jan-2016
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2016
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Thanks Ray, glad you liked this. But y'know, I'm getting tired of aged care. I hate what happens to them. I've been doing it for eight years, and that's been long enough. In saying that, I don't know what other field to go into in a small country town. I'm finding it hard to ignore their plight these days; there is - as you said - no dignity in their final days/weeks/months/years. It's outright cruel. We wouldn't put our pets through what they go through. And we call it duty of care. What a crock!
Anyhoo, enough negativity. I loved your review and comments, and appreciate you my dear fwiend Guv, for your usual honesty and constructive stuff passed over with such pommy aplomb. Top of the evenin to ya! It's probly morning there for you but ... I live in the sticks lol!
LUVYA AS ALWAYS
Cwissy
xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox
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I didn't know it was you, Cwiss, or that you worked in care.
I guess eight years is enough for most, and the worst that could happen with some carers, is they get depressed, lose interest and forget their patients need 100% all the time.
Have a great weekend and 2016, Guvvy Ray. ;-) xx
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ssshhhh ... it's a blind contest lol! But yeah, depression is something that hits carers eventually, because we can't do enough to help and run out of steam. Thanks again guvvie xoxoxoxo
