I love poetry and first started writing when I was about 8 years old. I then had a big gap until I was 18 or 19 and wrote some more. Through my 20s, 30s and 40s, my mind was on other things, ie family life, which was very fulfilling in itself. However, now, in retirement, I have the time to think about things and life in general and have started jotting down thoughts - sometimes in the middle of the night. Some of these written words, I have included in birthday cards and the like and so aren't poems as such, just ditties. This is my first poem written during the Covid 19 lockdown, with more to follow. 1) COVID RESTRICTIONS (to be sung to the tune of My Favourite Things by Julie Andrews) Rainbows on windows and NHS clapping People being furloughed and deaths we are mapping Loo paper’s snatched up - no more can be found How we all wish there would be a big mound Panic buying Keep your distance Flour is hard to find Hand sanitisers are making hands sore But nobody seems to mind —————- We can go walking out once every day No more than this though ‘cos that is the way Don’t sit on benches or lie down and rest Police will come over and tell you with zest... “Don’t you lie there, don’t you stop here Don’t you know the rules? Self isolate and go back to your home And don’t be such stupid fools” —————- Singers and bands playing live in their drives Daughters and sons and husbands and wives Sport is all cancelled - how will we get by? Can’t even party though some like to try Fines established Keep to lock-down Are we now in hell? Captain Tom Moore is walking for cash And we all do wish him well
2) ODE TO A BEREAVED DAUGHTER
Thinking of your mum on the day she passed away And how well she’d been looked after in every single way To have you there right ‘til the end To love and comfort and her needs to tend She was so lucky as I’m sure you know And to die without pain - such a good way to go! But even though she reached a really good old age You’re bound to mourn at the turning of the page Her life was long and filled with love And I really think you went over and above to make sure she was well looked after You catered for her needs No-one could have asked for more from you But still my heart, it bleeds
3) A TEENAGE DAUGHTER (from her Dad's point of view)
My wonderful caring daughter and I
have always been so close But in the teenage years ahead will she become morose?
Her mother and I are divorced you see so I wondered if she might change But it doesn’t appear to be the case
As our lives we rearrange We seem as close as ever And always share a hug We talk about nearly everything And my heartstrings, she does tug She’s nearly 15 years of age And at the moment, friends come first But I will always be there for her Through the best times and the worst
4) LITTLE BOY’S BIRTHDAY (during Coronavirus)
Sweet little boy with his open smile
Missing him a lot as it’s been quite a while His sunny nature and sense of fun I really can’t wait for this virus to be done!
For he is now 3 and he’s missed out on his party Even though he really is quite hale and hearty Bet he’s missing his friends to play with every day How I wish this awful virus would turn and go away :-(
5) CORONAVIRUS SONG – TORN
Have you seen what’s in the news today? I don’t think that it will go away I’m already torn life’s not what it seems I’ve even got coronavirus running through my dreams Got to self isolate then to medicate Must stay in the house before it really gets too late I’m already torn It seems very real
Got to find a way to find the thing that they call zeal
I‘m torn, I’m torn
6) POORLY LADY AND CARER
Her health is very fragile and is such a cross to bear
And when compared to other folk, seems totally unfair
Aches and pains and fractures
have taken away life’s fun
And there have been so many clouds
when there should have been full sun
Let’s hope that things can now improve
for her and also you
and you can once again feel good -
It’s really overdue
7) BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Brothers and sisters are great to have A friendship like no other And they can fill the gap that’s left by father or by mother
Memories we cherish as we recall the day
that such and such did happen - hope they never go away
We have a shared history and although we have different friends
We share a love that’s special
and I hope it never ends
(and even after death, the ones that remain will never forget)
8) CORONAVIRUS RAP
So here we are across the nation stuck inside in self isolation Some people feeling lonely and depressed but the government, they say that they know best On Thursdays we clap the NHS and feel sorry for them that it’s such a mess No masks for them for quite a while Their lives are at risk but they go the extra
mile Home-schooling now and the parents must
be fraught knowing that their little ones should all be being taught Captain Tom Moore walking up and down and raising several million, he’s the toast of the town But through it all there has emerged a feeling of community Of helping others and caring which is really good to see So COVID-19, you’ve done your best But please go away now and give it a rest We’ve learned our lesson, of that I’m sure We won’t be wasteful any more We’ll look after the planet And be kind to one another Looking out for others - Our sister and our brother
9) OUR FAMILY
Jack with his toys and his dog called Bella
Marcus with his good looks, such a lucky fella
Laura with her job and her very sweet ways
All put together make for very happy days
Jon and Clare lead immensely busy lives
It seems to be the way of things for husbands and for wives
And Mazzie and Maia’s days are packed with things to do
Whilst Oliver and Izzy - well I just don’t have a clue! (teenagers)
And now for Mike and me at last,
well our time now means leisure
And everything we do brings us an awful lot of pleasure
Now that sounds very selfish but was never meant to be
It’s just how life’s panned out for us - it’s our reality
We don’t want to waste a second
as who knows what’s in store?
So “enjoy life” is our motto
Fun times - yes, we want more
We are truly blessed!
10) FOR THE BEREAVED
Never blame yourself for decisions others make and pathways they have trodden which were only theirs to take Each of us has our own free willl and of course, we can take advice but then we do ”what’s best for us” and sometimes pay the price The pain that you are suffering Must be terrible to bear The anguish and despondency But please know - we all care We love you, dear, and always will And feel it is our place To try and just be there for you That’ll always be the case
11) BIKERS’ CAFE
Lady at the Ranch House, friendly and nice,
offering burgers or a toasted slice Welcoming and up for a chat
About walking, quizzes or this and that
We see lots of bikers all talking together
and also some hikers, whatever the weather
The service is good and so is the food
You’ll always be welcome whatever your mood
We pop in for coffee and sometimes a snack
Whatever the reason, we keep going back
12) SKANKERS’ RAP
To all of those who steal and rob, I'm thinking "what the hell?"
You seem to lack any sort of compassion, like finer feelings have gone out of fashion
Can you not see the damage you do? People feel violated - you would too
I don't understand what's going on; it's like "scumbags rule” – just one big con
When you're older, you might look back and regret the things you've done
Realise the hurt you've caused - its not just harmless fun
But life goes on relentlessly. There's good and bad, I know
We all hope things'll be fine for us but will they - we don't know
Uncertainty is rife round here and life's a mountain to climb
Always look over your shoulder man and watch those who need a dime
They won't wait to be given what they need, they'll grab it first, so great's their need
So watch your back - your front and side too for the skankers are here
And they're out to get you!
13) CIRCLE OF LIFE
One day my life will end
My husband, sisters and friends will be gone, too
The landscape will change beyond recognition
Where is this foreign land?
But following in our footsteps will be our sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren
The change will have been gradual and they will adapt
As we have done in our lives
This is the circle of life
We should not be scared to die
We must make room for others in time
But enjoy this amazing life whilst we can
We hope we will continue in our loved ones' memories
And be thought of fondly from time to time
But grief should not last for long
They have their own mountains to climb
I hope they enjoy the journey!
14) IN MEMORY OF A CANINE FRIEND
Thinking of Annie, a loving dear friend
A friendship to treasure
and good till the end
She would sit by the window
and keep very still
watching the birds - this was always a thrill
A walk in the woods and a squirrel to find
these things you can treasure
as you bring her to mind
Not very greedy,
she’d eat when she chose
she was dainty and sweet with the folk who
she knows
Nine years have flown by
and her life has been great
she’s received such good care and has been
your best mate
To Annie - in our memory forever
15) ODE TO BREXIT
Brexit day is here at last
And we should celebrate
We have our great land back again
It surely must be fate
So many people have felt glum
And feel a sense of woe
What made those Brexiteers vote ‘out’
And leave the status quo?
But all the optimists feel great
And think it's really hip
That we’ll stop paying such huge lump sums
And steer our own tight ship
We can now start trading with the world
And manufacture more
Become a great land once again
And set the British law
We won’t stop immigration
But will choose the skills we need
I’m sure we’ll really prosper
So stand up, be glad, SUCCEED!
(16) A DAY IN THE PARK
I see all the people going by in the park,
stopping to chat and the dogs all to bark
Children playing football and bikes rushing by; old folk on benches just wondering why the time’s gone so quickly - they’re no longer young
But at least there’s still time for songs to be sung
Lessons can be learned as all life is here, parents with children, youths with their beer; workers rush by as they run for the bus to take them to work - they don’t make a fuss
Life is so busy and so full of chores
That’s why it’s important to stand still and pause
Look what’s around you - I’m sure you’ll agree
There’s so much of interest for us all to see
17) MISSING
Why do things go missing?
Is it always me to blame?
I put my things into the drawer that’s in my bedroom, that’s for sure
It always is the same
Blasted creams and ointments
Drops that are for eyes
Cold sore treatment and the like
All disappear and take a hike
It’s always a surprise
But then I usually find them
And just where they should be
But perhaps covered over and hidden
It should really be forbidden
To lie where I can’t see
So I know that it really is my fault
I should learn to hunt around
And not just have a cursory glance
Which leads me on a rare old dance
But be thorough, complete and sound
18) AN UNHAPPY WIFE
You had a husband, that was true but you weren’t a happy wife
He always thought you were cheating on him, although the reverse was true
You had women calling round at the house
What were you supposed to do?
You never felt you could leave him while the children were still small
So you just got on with things each day as if nothing was wrong at all
However, once it was just the two of you,
you knew that the time had come
You looked around and found a flat
Made plans whilst feeling quite numb
You got a divorce and coped quite well
Joined a club - found a new special friend
Went to a weekly canasta club
And your misery came to an end.
Your ex-husband died a year ago now
You were surprised that you felt rather numb
As you’d never been very happy with him
And what your life had become
But now in the two bedroomed house where you live
Your life is quite firmly on track
Once this lockdown has ended, you can go out more
And your happiness can start to come back
19) OUT AND ABOUT DURING LOCKDOWN
People walking down the street sometimes chatting to the folk they meet
Feeling a bit uneasy if they get too in their face
Is that someone kissing another?
That’s such a big disgrace
I wonder when this virus will finally have run its course
Can’t wait to socialise again - our friendships to endorse
But I fear that we’re in it for the long haul - it’s no time to take a chance
But one day we’ll be free again to meet and have romance
20) SUMMER HOLIDAYS
We didn’t get a holiday in summer 2020
We didn’t fly abroad in 2021
We’re all going to be so pale and pasty
Unless something very soon is done
So many have had the vaccine now
At least those who are old and frail
So let’s kickstart the economy
And stop us looking pale
We’ve done what has been asked of us
We’ve followed it to the letter
So now we want to travel around
and make our lives much better
Give help to those in Spain and Greece and Cyprus and lots more Whilst boosting our own mental health and keeping within the law
21) THE SAD OLD MAN
Please don’t stop around here old man,
watching us every day
Looking and leering and seeing the things we do
Please just go away
Haven’t you got a wife at home,
someone who’s waiting for you?
If she only knew what you’re up to
She’d be quite depressed and blue
“I once had a teenage daughter
and that’s why I’m watching you
As she was the age that you are now
But she died and I’m feeling blue”
“I’m definitely not a paedophile
Or a pervy type of man
I’m just looking back upon my life
And doing what I can”
Oh dear, on hearing the old man’s sad tale
my viewpoint wasn’t the same
I offered my condolences which even to me sounded lame
We jump to conclusions all the time
and think that we know best
But there’s two sides to every story
Things happen which we couldn’t have guessed
So the moral of this story is
Be careful what we say
Don’t jump in with both feet first
But try to change our way
22) THE CRABBLE
The crabble who had no nose Could neither taste nor smell
And when he went to eat his lunch
it felt just like he’d had a punch
‘‘Twas so unfair when he did crunch
With no taste there to tell
At least the crabble could hear And enjoyed a happy song But when the time was right to eat He’d sit at the table and eat his meat But always had to admit defeat And said not to taste was so wrong The crabble stopped eating, which wasn’t right and he became quite ill We understood how he did feel How nothing he ate did taste quite real There was no food that did appeal He p’raps should just take a pill So that’s what he started to do He swallowed a pill every day But the next thing he knew he was ailing And his body was gradually failing He made such a terrible wailing And then sadly he just passed away
23) DANNY DAWKIN
What shall we do with Danny Dawkin?
He goes to school and won’t stop talkin’
His teacher gets cross and he starts squarkin’
Silly Danny Dawkin
24) A DAUGHTER THROUGH THE AGES You’re just a little girl and your parents mean so much
You love spending lots of time with them and their warm and loving touch
You’re now a teenage girl and you think “Yeh right -
My dad is an utter nightmare and my mum is such a fright”
But all of this will change again
It’s just a phase I hear
One day the door will open
A young woman will appear
Your beautiful caring daughter
is back and is there right out of the blue
You must’ve done something right, you think
as she has come back to you
25) HOODLUMS
They drove away in a pick up truck that day they decided to leave
some teenage boys from the wrong side of town
who made people cross and made them frown
that day they drove away
They thought they’d have some fun, they did, as they drove so fast that day
They nearly knocked a woman down
As she rushed to get out of their way
On they went and faster still
That pick up truck did shake
It went at 80 miles an hour
and made a lot of people cower
Did they even know how to brake?
It didn’t turn out very well that day
And they all did come to grief
They were flung from the car as it hit a bar and excitement, it was brief
Let this be a warning to all the youths out there
who decide to steal somebody’s car
And drive away to somewhere far
Without a thought or care
26) TOM AND JANE (one for the kids, sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle)
Tom and Jane went down the lane
to see what they could find there
They saw a mattress in the dyke and lots of things behind there
Tom and Jane went home again
And went out in the garden
Tom did a burp which made him slurp and said “I beg your pardon”
Jane and Tom, they found a bomb
Which was from World War II
They went to ask the local police
just what they both should do
They said “stay clear and don’t go near -
that’s what you need to do
Just go back home and we will 'phone the bomb squad but thank you
Tom and Jane went home again
and told their mum and dad
Who were so pleased they’d told the police so no need to feel sad
27) COSTA DEL SOL
A man and his wife flew off to Spain
To the Costa Del Sol they went
She just wanted to sunbathe but he had a
greater intent
He wanted to go to a topless beach
And feel that he was young
But when they got there, all they found was middle-aged people all around
And sure, they were topless but ‘‘twas no joy
For instead of young women
they found instead
old pensioners teetering around sun beds
On walking frames which their boobs did reach
The man looked at his wife and said “life’s a bitch”
With a withering glance she replied to him that she thought they’d feel right at home
They were both 85 and she whipped off her top and he wished that he’d never left home
28) WHEN CHILDREN LEAVE HOME
How do we feel when our children leave home?
Is it relief that the nest they have finally flown?
I think briefly, I did feel relief of a kind
Freedom was ours but I then changed my mind
No more friends calling round, lounging about
Cluttering the place - of that, there's no doubt
But I missed these young folk, and the jokes they would tell
Some inappropriate, some funny as hell
I also missed my sons at the end of the day
Sitting down to eat and finding a way
To tell of their troubles and good things as well
Sharing their stories - the good things they'd tell
So, on reflection, I missed them But they are still in my life The only difference now is they each have a wife They also have children who are all a delight My life is so happy - their future, so bright
and on the same subject...
29) THEY'RE LEAVING HOME
The things you miss when children leave home,
is two-fold I have found
It's not just them you miss when they fly the nest, but their friends who came around
Those barbecues were so much fun
With banter to and fro
Lots of laughter, food and drink
How we enjoyed it so
But now home seems to echo
With voices from the past
At least we've happy memories
and ones I'm sure will last
GUEST POEMS
Email loveretirement21@sky.com
to have your own poem/s added
A BIG-EYED GOBBLY GOLDFISH - Author unknown but may even have been my mother!
A big-eyed gobbly goldfish lives in the pond by the tree
When I stare at the gobbly goldfish, he stares right back at me
The lip-lap lapping water seems to flip flap to and fro
When I stare at the lapping water, he seems to grow and grow
Loved this poem as a child!
LONELY WOMAN by Patricia Honeysett
As she walks down the street,
a shy smile on her face goes unnoticed to all passers-by
No-one nods or says “how’re yer doin’ t’day?”
No-one speaks, says “Hello” or “G’bye”
She’s not from here y’see, she’s a stranger to them
And soon her sad smile goes away
All the world’s full of strangers
Or that’s how it seems as she cries at the end of the day
She moved here quite recently, so full of hope
To make friends, or that was her aim
But the outcome’s so different, it shows on each face
They don’t want to know, that’s quite plain
If this is her future, then what has she got?
A husband who cares even less
How could she have let herself come to all this?
Her life all in ruins, a mess
Her friends that she had seem far away now
They could be in a far distant land
She has no-one to talk to or laugh with or say
“C’mon luv tek hold of my hand”
As she lay down her head on her pillow that night,
Her eyes full to brim with her tears,
She knows from the glass by her side that she’d be
by the morrow some place else with no fears
What a poignant poem, Patricia. There must be lots of lonely people around us who we don't even notice. I have written about a Befriending service in the Hobbies section (although it isn't an actual hobby as such but more a way to spend some free time helping others)
I have seen various versions of this poem but they all amount to the same thing - a very emotional tale about an old lady and how, although we might age, we still feel the same inside.
When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was felt that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meagre 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 Ireland. The old lady's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the North Ireland Association for Mental Health.
... And now this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this simple, yet eloquent, poem travelling the world by Internet. Goes to show that we all leave "SOME footprints in time".....
An Old Lady's Poem (Anon)
What do you see, nurses, what do you see? What are you thinking when you're looking at me? A crabby old woman, not very wise, Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes? Who dribbles her 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 stocking or shoe..... Who, resisting or not, lets 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 girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet, Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet. A bride 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 woman of thirty, my young now grown fast, Bound to each other with ties that should last. At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone, But my man'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 husband is 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 woman ...and nature is cruel; 'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool. The body, it crumbles, grace and vigour depart, There is now a stone where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass a young girl 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, nurses, open and see, ...Not a crabby old woman; look closer ...see ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an old person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within ...... We, too, will one day be there!
The Carer's Reply
What do we see, you ask,
what do we see?
Yes, we are thinking when looking at thee
We may seem hard, when we hurry or fuss
But there’s many of you and so few of us
We would like far more time to sit by you and talk –
To bathe you and feed you and help you to walk
To hear of your life and the things you have done –
Your childhood, your husband, your daughter, your son
But time is against us – there’s so much to do
There are many of you, and of us there are few.
We grieve when we see you so sad and alone
If only we could take each one of you home
To share in the lives that we have of our own
Our lovers, our husbands, our family so dear.
But it isn’t practical to give you this care
The care you deserve for the lives that you’ve lived,
The care of the highest, for the love that you give.
When the time arrives and you have to depart,
You leave us too with an ache in our heart.
When you sleep the long sleep, no more worry or care,
There are other people left and we must be there.
So please understand when we hurry or fuss –
There’s so many of you but so few of us
________________________________________________________________________________
GITTA by Patricia Honeysett
Dear God, we know that it was for the best
You took our Gitta home to rest
But it seems so hard to realise
We’ll no more look into her eyes
She’s been a part of us for years
Bringing us happiness, yet now only tears
We wouldn’t have wished her to suffer pain
But how we wish she was here again
Just to see her face light up once more
When she sees us coming through the door
I know there’s a heaven, and we’re glad that she’s there
But it’s left our home feeling totally bare
Do you think if we’d said our proper goodbyes
the tears would still flow, so much from our eyes?
Though time will pass by, we will never forget
Our faithful old friend, Our Gitta, Our pet!
I can well imagine the pain and loss you feel when losing a pet. In fact, that's one of the reasons that I don't get one, which I know is not the right way to think. They just love you unconditionally, which is wonderful.
ALONE by Patricia Honeysett
How lonely is loneliness, do many people know?
A walk in the park, a day by the sea – wherever other people seem to be
You can hear the children’s laughter, you can see them having fun
But it’s someone else’s daughter or some other person’s son
You’re standing on the outside looking in to where they play
You long to reach out to them, long to hear one of them say:
“Come on, come on and join us, come and watch whilst we have fun”
But this never ever happens and you just turn away to run
You long to care for someone, hold him tight against your chest
But this person is elusive, he just happens to the rest
You ask yourself if this is it, how the future’s going to be
If you are doomed forever to spend your life in solitary
How lonely is loneliness? Do many people know?
Loneliness is lonely, for those who have no place to go!
OLD AGE by Patricia Honeysett
She sits and stares at nothing, but what does she really see?
Maybe it’s someone from years ago, who’s just not visible to me
Maybe it’s just a memory, where she loses herself every day
Where the people she loved are still living, and are not in a state of decay
Is this what we are living for, why we fight our battles each day?
So we can end our days in a nursing home, bereft of love in every way!
I look at her sitting quietly, hardly daring to move from the chair
She knows there is no escape from this place; she knows there is no-one to care
This is what happens when one grows old, there’s no turning back the tide
It would have been better when the rest of them went
If she had just lain down and died
The older I get, the more I can empathise with people in that situation. These days, it's probably easier than it used to be for people living in care homes as staff are aware that people need stimulation and things to do but still, memories will still remain of a past that probably involved being at the heart of a loving family.
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