Sunday’s poem

[Lyd12]

When you see me sitting quietly, Like a sack left on the shelf, Don’t think I need your chattering. I’m listening to myself. Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me! Hold! Stop your sympathy! Understanding if you got it, Otherwise I’ll do without it! When my bones are stiff and aching, And my feet won’t climb the stair,I will only ask one favor: Don’t bring me no rocking chair. When you see me walking, stumbling, Don’t study and get it wrong. ‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy And every goodbye ain’t gone. I’m the same person I was back then, A little less hair, a little less chin, A lot less lungs and much less wind. But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in.Maya Angelo

[Morrison10]

Thanks for good poem, , like last phrase, “I can still breath in “ so true, long may it continue! Hope you’re well, best wishes, Jean xx

[Lyd12 in reply to Morrison10]

it is a struggle sometimes, the housework is just not getting done! But Inhope I can avoid a care home. Love Iris x

[Morrison10 in reply to Lyd12]

yes hope can avoid care home, good luck with doing housework, etc, I’m lucky my younger daughter does some for me when Iv. not have time, Nebulising, spirometer, exercises have to take preference. Love Jean x

[LissacFrance in reply to Lyd12]

Just remember, housework is an optional extra. When my mum was in her late 80s/90s, she was asked by a manager if she was happy with the care she got at home and did anything need changing, her reply was "Yes, more holidays and less cleaning". She always had an answer for everything and everybody. When in hospital the doctor on his rounds asked the usual questions, date of birth, "7 november 1905", twon where you were born "Sheffield", day of the week, pause to ggive time to think before replying "I don`t know, when you are in here all the days are the same, but if you tell me I can go home on Friday, don`t worry I`ll know when it`s Friday". Must stop for now and do some work, I could tell tales all day.

[leo60]

What a woman she was xx

[sassy59]

One of my favourites Iris. What a wonderful lady she was. Thank you.

Love and best wishes, Carole xxx🌹

[Patk1]

😍x

[Alberta56]

What an uplifting poem for anyone who feels like me. Good old Maya. Try not to bother too much about the housework- there are more important things in life. Staying in touch with your lungie friends is one of them. xxxx

[eleanordigby]

Oh, stuff the housework. I know it gets on our nerves when it needs doing though. Could you employ a cleaner just for two hours a fortnight? It’s amazing how quickly a young healthy person can zip through!

Love that poem but the last line especially resonates. Breathing out is tricky too!

[pegbl]

Love it Iris 👍xx

[Australia06]

Hope you're doing well Nana, love looking out for your poems every week. We've been looking at some in class this week, though Australian poets so I doubt you'd know them. Always proud to tell the class my nana loves poetry and has introduced me to the best xx

[Lyd12 in reply to Australia06]

glad you enjoy the poems, sorry they are not in poetry style, it’s this new iPad! There is a long one that Inremember my gran reciting to me, she had no books, just remembered it. It was Lucy Grey oft I had heard of Lucy Grey, and when I crossed the wild, I chanced to see at break of day the solitary child.

It’s a long poem but parts of it have stayed in my memory.

Love Nana x

[OOB_Tigger]

That's a great poem Iris and very appropriate. Thank you for sharing.

It reminded me of a poem I read at friend's house, think it was on a fridge magnetic.

Take care 🤗 x

Dust If You Mustby Rose Milligan

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better

To paint a picture, or write a letter,

Bake a cake, or plant a seed;

Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,

With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;

Music to hear, and books to read;

Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there

With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;

A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,

This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,

Old age will come and it's not kind.

And when you go (and go you must)

You, yourself, will make more dust.