This poem by an Old man is doing rounds of Internet
Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses? . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, . ... . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his 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 sock 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 boy of Sixteen . . with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . . . .. . . a lover he'll meet..
A groom 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 man 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 woman'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 wife is now dead.
I look at the future ... . . . . . . . . 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 man .. . . . . . .. . . and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . .. a young guy 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, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a crabby old man. Look closer . . . see ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush
aside without looking at the young soul within . . . . we will all, one day,
be there, too!
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written by P. Desikan, 2009-11-19 04:22:33
Vanamamalai math, not Vanammmalai math, please note!
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written by P. Desikan, 2009-11-19 04:19:59
Dear Captain,
Did you see the Forum post entitled Krishna and Trishna by Narensomu today?
I was reminded of this lovely blog of yours about the very much alive old man whom the world may see as crabby and therefore dismiss from their sights and minds. May the strength of spirit which he displays attend the twins too and may they always wear smiles on their faces!
I thought of you too as I walked on the streets of Viravanallur one afternoon last week, and among other things could point out to where Prof. Sadagopan's house used to be, to some of my relatives.
And finally I have landed a Sanskrit translation of Tirukkural. The gentleman who did this translation has since become the Jeer of Vanammmalai math at Nanguneri. I met the venerable teacher, who is a scholar in several languages!
Warm regards. Partha
Did you see the Forum post entitled Krishna and Trishna by Narensomu today?
I was reminded of this lovely blog of yours about the very much alive old man whom the world may see as crabby and therefore dismiss from their sights and minds. May the strength of spirit which he displays attend the twins too and may they always wear smiles on their faces!
I thought of you too as I walked on the streets of Viravanallur one afternoon last week, and among other things could point out to where Prof. Sadagopan's house used to be, to some of my relatives.
And finally I have landed a Sanskrit translation of Tirukkural. The gentleman who did this translation has since become the Jeer of Vanammmalai math at Nanguneri. I met the venerable teacher, who is a scholar in several languages!
Warm regards. Partha
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written by P. Desikan, 2009-11-04 04:21:12
Thank you, Captain.
It is good for the old to know that others who are gone, have passed through old age, some of them smiling.
It is good for the young to know that they too will pass through old age and can suffer if they failed to learn to keep smiling.
Perhaps the smile can be kept alive by recalling times past, if one has lived life well.
Thanks once again and warm regards. Partha.
It is good for the old to know that others who are gone, have passed through old age, some of them smiling.
It is good for the young to know that they too will pass through old age and can suffer if they failed to learn to keep smiling.
Perhaps the smile can be kept alive by recalling times past, if one has lived life well.
Thanks once again and warm regards. Partha.
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