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Yesterdays People

Their days are very much the same Like soldiers marching to the drum The cadence of the ticking clock Marking time as each day passes They wrap themselves in memories Replayed like notes of a well known song Steps slowed by the weight of years Their candles growing short We look at them but do not see We listen without hearing They are but shadows in our minds Close but yet so distant But if we were to look inside We would find ourselves Sharing needs that transgress age And values that are timeless They are the you of days gone by Their life then still in bloom The taste and thrill of love and life Now just footprints on their hearts And as their many seasons grow And their autumn becomes winter Who will mourn and say goodbye When their soul meets its tomorrow Inspired by volunteering at a nursing home and watching the deterioration of body and mind.

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Harry Horsman

Date: 1/18/2012 8:39:00 AM

Well Bob i did exactly the same in australia, i took early retirement in new zealand, then decided to move closer to our grandchildren in perth, w.a. but got bored, so decided to work in a retirement home. so to your first poem posted on soup. well it says everything. that needs to be said, the depth of feeling here is paramount, and it comes through to the reader. i really like this. so to my favourites along with yourself. harry

Bob Quigley
Date: 1/18/2012 10:09:00 AM

Bravo to you Harry for giving of your time to bring a little comfort to our elders. If only more would realize the value of a hello are just a smile. Thanks for reading my stuff.

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 1/5/2012 8:01:00 AM

Congrats on your win in the "Afflictions" contest Bob. Love, Carol

Bob Quigley
Date: 1/5/2012 8:25:00 AM

Thanks very much Carol

Fabiyas M V

Date: 12/29/2011 6:50:00 AM

Congratulations on your fantastic win in the contest,Bob!

Bob Quigley
Date: 12/29/2011 8:12:00 AM

Thank you Fabiyas

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 12/29/2011 4:53:00 AM

Congratulations Bob x

Bob Quigley
Date: 12/29/2011 8:12:00 AM

Thanks Mandy

Bl Devnath

Date: 12/28/2011 10:14:00 PM

Congratulation on your win in the contest. bl

Bob Quigley
Date: 12/29/2011 8:13:00 AM

Thank you bl

Joyce Johnson

Date: 12/28/2011 8:17:00 PM

A very tender write Bob and congratulations on a great win. Love, Joyce

Bob Quigley
Date: 12/29/2011 8:13:00 AM

I appreciate that Joyce

Gwendolen Song

Date: 12/28/2011 6:33:00 PM

Completely in love with the second stanza, Bob! You write as someone who has truly immersed themselves in the environment of a nursing home...I wish it didn't have to be such a dreary place. They were blessed to have you there while you were volunteering. I love elders and finding out what their passions are. Congrats on this very lovely and sentimental write. Love, Gwendolen

Bob Quigley
Date: 12/29/2011 8:15:00 AM

Thanks Gwen. I still volunteer one afternoon a week and thoroughly love the interaction.

Vince Suzadail Jr.

Date: 10/11/2011 11:57:00 PM

I liked this. As I get older, the more nostalgic I get for those "values that are timeless." Sometimes I wonder if heaven is doing it again. Vince

Bob Quigley
Date: 12/29/2011 8:16:00 AM

An interesting thought Vince. Thanks for stopping by.

Eugene Harvey

Date: 8/23/2011 5:08:00 PM

Bob, Brilliant!!! Loved this poem. Very well written. It captures the futility of life of people long forgotten marking time till death brings them rest and everlasting peace. Eugene

Bob Quigley
Date: 8/23/2011 11:47:00 PM

Thank you Eugene. Kind words indeed.

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 8/23/2011 2:29:00 PM

Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week Bob. Love, Carol

Bob Quigley
Date: 8/23/2011 11:48:00 PM

Thank you so much Carol

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 8/21/2011 11:35:00 PM

Congrats Bob on your featured poem this week on PS.. wonderful to share luv..

Bob Quigley
Date: 8/22/2011 10:23:00 AM

I feel so honored. It was one of my first efforts inspired by volunteering at a nursing home and seeing the loneliness and the ravages of dementia.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 6/10/2011 3:16:00 PM

Bob, welcome to the soup~ nice concept of, yesterday and yes it will never be gone... and as long as we spin life will always march on and bloom.. Enjoyed your poem.