Carolyn Devonshire Poet Rhyme

Disposable Wisdom

Each day Annie Lesley opened a can
Her eighty-six-year-old hands trembling
As she sat with her cat and ate pet food
What is wrong with this elder’s rendering?

Pride swallowed to remain independent
Large, sunken eyes peered from her weathered face
Her late spouse a decorated hero
Annie’s lifestyle a national disgrace

More enlightened cultures all over the world
Have revered their seniors throughout history
Asians and Native Americans
Are just two who honor their ancestry

Polynesians, other Pacific tribes
Respect the wisdom that comes with age
Seniors are welcome in family homes
But here in the states they’re placed in a cage

Bone-thin Annie Lesley chose to be free
Amazing neighbors with her endurance
When social services tried to intervene
She fought with remarkable resilience

Old photos on walls told many great tales
But only purring Tibby was listening
Each morning she rose to care for her cat
Until the day that Tibby went missing

In tears she claimed he must have been poisoned
Though in cat years he was older than she
Each day she sat by the window, staring
Awaiting the homecoming of Tibby

She’d been abandoned by society
Lost in the world’s most “progressive” nation
For sacrificing her spouse in World War II	
Annie received little compensation

This widowed war bride never had children
Her mate had met his fate in Normandy
Posthumous awards she dusted each day
Annie’s life was defined by loyalty

To a man and a cat who never came home
And the vigil she kept all alone
Ended quietly one warm summer night
When an angel came to take Annie home

With a can of cat food in hand when found
Annie had nothing else to eat in her house
This is the way a veteran’s wife died
And tear stains had blemished her faded blouse

Although seniors’ wisdom is heeded
In societies that grow from history
Too many like Annie lead lonely lives
Wisdom untapped, they die in poverty

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Judy Bausch June 14, 2024 at 12:10 PM What a beautiful poem! It illustrates a heartbreaking portrait of one elderly patriot, and showcases the unfortunate life many of our elderly citizens in western society endure. It brought me to tears. So very powerful and exquisitely written!

Ken Rone March 24, 2024 at 9:14 PM Heartbreaking. Not much can be said here Carolyn. You tackled a difficult subject and rendered a fantastic memorial. No. Not much to add. But I can offer prayers for all of her like. Best - Ken

Ink Empress August 15, 2023 at 11:51 AM This made me tear up, sigh, the way you’ve written it is so very poignant and deeply moving. Any reader can feel the depth of grief and loss and having to live with it through this write. Impeccable write

Ink Empress August 15, 2023 at 11:51 AM This made me tear up, sigh, the way you’ve written it is so very poignant and deeply moving. Any reader can feel the depth of grief and loss and having to live with it through this write. Impeccable write

Speaks Volumes August 10, 2022 at 12:59 PM With tears streaming down my face, your stunning poem is a reminder and wake up call to all those that know of someone old and living alone, that some visits are overdue. All I can utter at the moment Carolyn, is "Thank you".

Timothy Ray April 7, 2022 at 5:45 PM this brought vivid memories back as i worked on Operation Find for the American Red Cross visiting seniors and making them aware of governmental help available....a lot of truths within this poem...excellent read, thank you

Quoth Theraven February 1, 2022 at 7:27 PM "When we see this happening to seniors, we know it may be our fate too. It is so easy to reach out and offer companionship to them and listen to their stories. It was as if no one noticed when Annie died, but she was my neighbor and I miss her." Your words still ring true from this comment left from years ago. The poet that wrote them now fondly missed too. -R

Ann Peck October 21, 2021 at 9:40 AM Thank you for writing this poem, Carolyn. That truth needs to be repeated over and over until someone changes it.

Virginia Gelok May 4, 2021 at 11:29 AM OH MY...so very sad. and so very true of so many wonderful strong senior who have been left to fend for themselves. I pray Annie found her cat and husband beside her on her new journey.

L Milton Hankins January 25, 2021 at 9:04 AM This poem speaks to my heart. How poignant the story of this lovely lady Annie Lesley. Exceptionally well-written. What a vivid picture this poem realistically paints of how we treat our elderly. Thanks for sharing! Carolyn Devonshire January 25, 2021 at 3:07 PM Thanking you for checking out this old one. Annie was a very nice neighbor and friend. I'll never forget her!

Jessie Jones December 9, 2020 at 1:56 PM Well done. So sad but all to true. Beautifully penned.

Ernilando Tugaff February 14, 2020 at 6:59 PM Carolyn, this is very true. I've seen and observed that this plight happened to many seniors. A great write. Again, you hit the nail on the head. Well crafted poem my friend. Ernilando

Anisha Dutta January 30, 2020 at 12:09 PM Carolyn, It's fact n fate for some seniors. Those are surrounded by children n grandchildren are surely blessed. But for lone seniors situation is grave. Any way nicely penned.

Old Buck January 29, 2020 at 10:01 AM Carolyn: At 79 I have some understanding of what you are saying: However: The line about her refusing Social Services Intervention sheds a different light on her plight. If you won't accept help, don't curse those that wanted to help but you were to proud to accept. :o) oldbuck

Ralph Sergi January 29, 2020 at 8:58 AM Hi Carolyn: I was vey touched by the sad refrain of a Grand Dame's memories. We can only hope that most seniors are surrounded by their loved ones when the day comes...Ralph

Paula Goldsmith January 28, 2020 at 11:26 AM A "great" write and read. So true for many people. And the question is "why"???? Have a wonderful day............

Gordon Mcconnell January 28, 2020 at 10:10 AM A lovely piece so enjoyable Carolyn, though sad in many ways but an excellent pen. Blessings, Gordon

Cal Bambi The Word Artist January 27, 2020 at 6:49 PM Carolyn, This little story has touched my heart. Very well written. Cal Bambi

Jean Bush January 27, 2020 at 6:34 PM Utterly heart wrenching. I see it's the story of your neighbor. How sad, but I'm glad she knew you. Damn well done.

Edmund Strempfl January 1, 2020 at 6:09 PM Could relate to your poem as Australians are only a few shadowy footsteps behind U.S. Prices rise to the pensioners demise

Darlene De Beaulieu December 29, 2019 at 2:29 PM Hello Carolyn Devonsshire, even today seniors live this way. It is very sad. the homeless also live this way. It is sad. Haave a nice day my friend.

Bette Bavington November 29, 2019 at 6:54 PM This is so true but sad. A wise wake up call. We are all getting old. People don't think about their neighbors anymore. Me, I know everyone of mine. I try to be helpful when ever needed. If more people thought about other people rather than themselves no one would be eating cat food or alone.

Ann Foster July 15, 2019 at 12:26 AM A sadly incredible, real story, every day. Excellent read. Ann Carolyn Devonshire July 20, 2019 at 9:30 AM Whether we like it or not, these issues are ones we will all face one day. Thanks for reading, Ann.

Lindsay Laurie January 31, 2019 at 8:21 PM G'day Carolyn … very sad story indeed Carolyn. You got me musing. What is the worst. Loneliness or death - this poem really did have me wondering about societies attitude - thank you Carolyn - Lindsay Carolyn Devonshire January 31, 2019 at 8:27 PM You can see how your poem and this one are related, Lindsay. Instead of asking, "What are we going to do about Mom?" we should be asking, "What can we do to make Mom happy?" Surround her with love. Thanks for reading.

Pat Adams January 18, 2019 at 6:28 PM Well, I have to say I am completely over whelmed! I had no idea there were any poems out there with 8 pages of comments! You are like a goddess of poetry! I'm totally amazed and humbled that you bothered to read some of my ramblings. Amazing write of course and a FAV for me. Makes me want to cry to tell the truth, but if not to stir emotions what else is poetry for?? Well done and I will be committing a lot of time rummaging through you poetic "attic" for gems! An admirer...................pat Carolyn Devonshire January 18, 2019 at 8:13 PM When we see this happening to seniors, we know it may be our fate too. It is so easy to reach out and offer companionship to them and listen to their stories. It was as if no one noticed when Annie died, but she was my neighbor and I miss her.

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