Does anyone care?

While we are all debating about the boat people, we need to look in our own backyard. When elderly people were being found dead in ther homes sometimes weeks later, I wrote this poem. I've now decided to share it with you, because I think this is going to become more prevalent unless something is done about it.

Does anyone care?

The old man sat in his old arm chair and asked himself does anyone care?
He pondered on life and all he had done and thought to himself “where did I go wrong?”
He’d fought for his country, worked hard all his life, reared a couple of kids with his dearly loved wife.
He’d not reached great heights in his job or in life, but he’d been loyal to his mates and stayed out of strife.
He’d paid his way with taxes and such and over the years he’d not asked for much.
They’d saved for a small house, a car and a tele, no credit cards then, but food in their belly.
No baby bonus to ease the expense, or paternity leave or help with the rent.
He didn’t get drunk and then sue the pub or beat up old ladies and then blame a drug.
He’d been a good bloke, but now was alone; his kids had both gone, from the coop they had flown.
He wasn’t complaining, ‘cos that’s what kids do, but a call would be nice or a visit or two.
His wife she had died while still in her prime, but he’d struggled along never owing a dime.
He’s not a great cook, but then does it matter? There’s no food in the house, just a stale cracker.
Now the money’s run out, the rates are too high, the bills they are mounting, the well has run dry.
There’s no money for food or bills or a car, and with his old legs he cannot walk far.
The pollies don’t care that an old man’s alone and living in poverty, nowhere to turn.
The pollies have meetings and surveys and forums, just send letters, submissions is always the chorus
And the old man sits in his old armchair, and slowly dies, does anyone care?

14 comments

Your right Pommie--does anyone care !! ??

pommie,,that was beautiful and so true in real life,i cried when i read it,you are very clever to be able to pen something so poignant,

have you written anymore poems?

Pommy, well done. So beautifully written, and tragically so true.

With your permission, may I borrow?

Thank you for your kind comments - I just doodle - particularly when something gets to me. I don't usually share because it seems a bit presumptious of me You are more than welcome to use it if you wish, I'm quite flattered.

Thanks Pommy.

Would love to see more of your work on here, but can understand if you are shy about posting .

pommy,i second koko's words,please print more of your poems,you are very talented so share it with us please

Pommy- I think you should send that poem to the paper or the tv with the question attached-please bring this to Prime Minister Rudds attention ,it would be interesting to see if he gave any feedback. As far as the politicians go - no they do not care.

Beautiful ,Pommy , and sad but true



Even more sad when sometimes their own kith and kin don't give a toss

The young ones use the excuse that "we have our own lives " and so they do but that does not excuse the neglect of Parents and grandparents ,Well not in my book anyway

Yes I am thinking the poem relates more to the families of these folk--not to the Government --it is a very good poem

very good pommy and all true, keep it up thank you

Don't want to take away from the sadness and the loneliness of a person, but that is

the life of many in their old age. I don't have relatives to call on, but my Oz neighbour hasn't seen his brother or nephews or nieces for years. He's lost the extended family bondings.

Besides that we've lost that 'village' setting where you talk to your neighbours.

Sad that when somebody dies and not found for days we see the neighbours in shock and they propably feel bad themselves for not taking that step to chat and be friendly or visit.

Perhaps we can all be bit more aware...

Firstly thank you all for your kind remarks. The poem was intended to be a comment on society, right through from the government to the next door neighbour. Hence the title "does [b]anyone[/b] care."

Pommy ,you wrote this wonderful poem, so congratulations ,it is so true, thank you for sharing

Well Said Pommy.

14 comments



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