The Nursing Home

As he sits in the chair, towards the floor is his gaze,
fleeting memories wash over him but his mind is a haze.
The nurse flashes by and gives him a smile,
He longs for someone to sit and talk for a while.

The children will visit, he hopes they come soon.
when they walk through the door his face lights up the room.
Are they coming today or is it next week?
Struggles to recall all their names and he begins to weep.

Cannot remember her name by she was his wife.
A wonderful woman, the love of his life.
In a moment of lucidness, remembers the day that she died.
Emotions well up and tears brim in his eyes.

A drink of some tea he would like to have now.
The nurse is too busy and he doesn't know how.
Breakfast at eight, lunch right on noon.
Dinner at five, No! that's not too soon.

The room down the hall, inhabited by Bill.
The noises he makes would make you feel ill.
He hacks through the day, screams out in the night.
Waking all within reach with a terrible fright.

His daughter comes to visit, the kids are causing her grief.
Life is so hectic, Dad we will have to be brief.
Grand kids gather around and he gives them a cuddle,
she gathers them up and off they go as a huddle.

This man gave his life for the family he made,
just a little while longer, he wished that they stayed.
An hour is not too much to ask of your time,
to tell happy stories and tell him everything's fine.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 3/17/2018 1:00:00 PM
Hi Craig, I write with tears in my eyes as you have portrayed the scene in many a nursing home where dementia sufferers are in their own little world and rarely get visitors and if they do it is for such a short period. my mum has memory issues caused by a fall I try and visit mum almost every day but some residents rarely see their family, but they come running when they think they will inherit:-( hugs jan xx
Login to Reply
Date: 7/5/2017 8:16:00 AM
Am going thru this with Mom....thanks for sharing
Login to Reply
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 7/5/2017 1:30:00 PM
It's a tough time James, I trust all goes well with your mother.
Date: 6/24/2016 1:30:00 AM
Fine words in this poem but made me feel very sad because it's true x well put together x
Login to Reply
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 6/26/2016 4:21:00 PM
Thanks for the visit and comments Wendy. Lets hope we stay out as long as we can.
Date: 2/21/2016 1:53:00 PM
I just had to re-visit this one as I think it's one of your best... it brings back so many fond memories of my days 'in the trenches!' Well done again!! Best wishes, Keith
Login to Reply
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 2/22/2016 3:21:00 AM
Thanks keith. You would have some stories I'm sure.
Date: 1/21/2016 4:03:00 AM
I can't wait to get in there and give my kids a tough time...only joking. Though my wife and I have just experienced being "de-invited" to a birthday celebration....must go, I can feel a poem coming on. Cheers, Dennis
Login to Reply
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 1/21/2016 11:59:00 AM
Told my kids the same. All the best with your writing. Thank you Craig
Date: 1/6/2016 11:26:00 AM
Hi Craig: A poignant picture of what so often happens. No one has time so often in this day and age. I have cared for Geriatrics in different times of my Nursing career and was always mindful of trying to offer care with respect for their dignity and saw so often that families just didn't come through when they should. As you say this is not alway the case. Excellent writing, SuZ
Login to Reply
Delaney Avatar
Suzanne Delaney
Date: 1/7/2016 11:42:00 AM
So true. A new kind of addiction.
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 1/6/2016 4:58:00 PM
Quite right, all the modern technology advancement was supposed to give us more time for leisure and such but it just enslaved us.
Date: 12/20/2015 10:44:00 AM
This is so dear to my heart... I was a nursing home administrator for several years in a multi-level 300 bed facility. I made many friends both residents and staff. Beautifully written with splendid couplet rhyming, cadence and imagery. So sad when patients succumb to Alzheimers and drift away into their own world, begging for attention. Well done my friend! Best wishes, Keith
Login to Reply
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 12/21/2015 10:48:00 PM
Thanks Keith, a worthy vocation you had chosen.
Date: 12/9/2015 11:50:00 PM
Such a sad write, but I know that it is a pretty accurate view of life in a nursing home. Great write, Craig! Love, Kim
Login to Reply
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 12/12/2015 2:28:00 AM
Thank you kim
Date: 12/9/2015 9:13:00 PM
Meals are scheduled but if a Resident asks for some thing to snack on, the staff usually volunteers to get it. Some kind hearted ones offer bedtime snacks without being asked.
Login to Reply
Emu Avatar
Old Man Emu
Date: 12/9/2015 9:21:00 PM
ok, I meant no offence. Just pointing out that some of the nursing homes are short staffed and nursing staff are very busy, I understand that they do as much as they can
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad