CRABBY OLD MAN
|
Posted By: on August 27, 2008 When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Tampa, Florida, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple,but eloquent poem. And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet. Crabby Old Man What do you see nurses?....What do you see? What are you thinking......when you're looking at me? A crabby old man, not very wise, Uncertain of habit......with faraway eyes? Who dribbles his food......and makes no reply When you say in a loud voice..'I do wish you'd try!' Who seems not to notice the things that you do. And forever is losing..............A sock or shoe? Who, resisting or not.. ....let's you do as you will, With bathing and feeding.......The long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see? Then open your eyes,nurse You're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am........As I sit here so still, As I do at your bidding,....as I eat at your will. I'm a small child of Ten...with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters........who love one another A young boy of Sixteen.....with wings on his feet Dreaming that soon now.........a lover he'll meet. A groom soon at Twenty......my heart gives a leap. Remembering, the vows......that I promised to keep. At Twenty-Five, now........I have young of my own. Who need me to guide, And a secure happy home. A man of Thirty.....My young now grown fast, Bound to each other.......With ties that should last. Forty, my young sons.....have grown and are gone, But my woman's beside me.....to see I don't mourn. At Fifty, once more,.....Babies play 'round my knee , Again, we know children....My loved one and me. Dark days are upon me..........My wife is now dead. I look at the future...........I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing.....young of their own. And I think of the years...And the love that I've known. I'm now an old man.........and nature is cruel. Tis jest to make old age....look like a fool. The body, it crumbles.........grace and vigor, depart. There is now a stone.......where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass...... A young guy still dwells, And now and again........my battered heart swells. I remember the joys.............I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living.............life over again. I think of the years....all too few......gone too fast. And accept the stark fact........that nothing can last. So open your eyes, people........open and see. Not a crabby old man. Look closer....see........ME!! Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might be tempted to brush aside without looking at the young soul within....we will all, one day, be there, too! If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
JUNIQUES GOSPEL MUSICAL REVIEW LOOKS AT AI GOSPEL THE NEW GENREJUNIQUES GOSPEL MUSICAL REVIEW LOOKS AT AI GOSPEL THE NEW GENRE
“Today, we step into a new era of gospel expression.
An era where every one of our 1440 minutes becomes ministry.
Where AI multipli ...more
rickey johnson • 121 Views • May 6th, 2026 |
 |
JUNIQUES MAY 2026 GOSPEL MUSICAL REVIEW SHOW ON ROKUJUNIQUES MAY 2026 GOSPEL MUSICAL REVIEW SHOW ON ROKU
visit http://allnationstv.com
and
http://gospelmusicalreview.org
...more
rickey johnson • 247 Views • May 3rd, 2026 |
 |
Free Will and Universal Spirit Awesome Power!!!!!visit http://gospelmusicalreview.org
We move as a people whose choices are free, and whose power is fueled by Spirit.
We choose our path, and the Universal Spirit breathes purpose into that choice ...more
rickey johnson • 335 Views • April 30th, 2026 |
 |
Grammy Nominated Artist & Reigning American Idol Winner JAMAL ROBERTS Release New Single "Perfect For Me"@JAMALROBERTS #JAMALROBERTS
IG@OfficialJamalRoberts
TikTok@OfficialJamalRoberts
FB@JamalRobertsOfficial
You can "Catch Jamal Roberts performing "Perfect For Me" Live on American Idol MONDAY Ma ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 2,596 Views • April 29th, 2026 |
 |
2026 Lexus LX 700h Review – One Week in the DMVI replaced my daily vehicle with the 2026 Lexus LX 700h Luxury Hybrid Premium and spent a week exploring D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, dealing with Beltway traffic, pothole-filled side streets in Prin ...more
Randi Payton • 261 Views • April 29th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 71,233,667 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 119,533 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 77,812 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
Hija Chang • 62,730 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
