By Namirla Bankhead
By Dawn Cox
I look at you now, the one I love, but in another way.
The world we used to know and share, has simply gone away.
We come and go, we carry on, I try to meet your needs,
I try to keep you calm and safe, but sometimes my poor heart bleeds.
I remember when we used to share, a laugh, a joke or two,
But now, that's changed, and all I seem, is a carer, just for you.
I feel such guilt I feel so tired, I feel I let you down,
But I have come to realise, that it's okay, if I sometimes frown.
For I can only do my best, I do the best I can
And, I'll love you always, today, and tomorrow, as this is who I am!
TIME
By Dawn Cox
I've had a chat to those now old,
And this is what I have been told.
We chatted at length, those friends of mine,
Their reply, was such, a poem was prime.
I asked them if in all the world,
They had a wish they would unfurl.
I asked, what would mean the most to you,
What gift, or present, or what to do,
Would bring you joy, would bring you love.
They all reflected, looked above,
They said, we have it all.................
Our wants have changed to needs, yet few,
All I ask or want of you,
Is TIME, I want your time...not to do a job for me
But sit and chat, with a cup of tea.
I do not need a brooch, or chocs
I do not need new shoes or socks.
I need to know, you love me still
I need your time, THAT I can fill.
I do not want to be in your way,
But I'd love to have you call and say
Will it be alright if I visit today????......
And that is what I need!
And that is what I need!!!
When I spill some food on my nice clean dress
Or maybe forget to tie my shoe,
Please be patient and perhaps reminisce
About the many hours I spent with you.
When I taught you how to eat with care,
Plus tying laces and your numbers, too,
Dressing yourself and combing your hair,
Those were precious hours spent with you.
So when I forget what I was about to say,
Just give me a minute – or maybe two.
It probably wasn’t important anyway,
And I would much rather listen just to you.
If I tell the story one more time,
And you know the ending through and through,
Please remember your first nursery rhyme
When I rehearsed it a hundred times with you.
When my legs are tired and it’s hard to stand
Or walk the steady pace that I would like to do,
Please take me carefully by my hand,
And guide me now as I once did for you.
Where would we be without the oldies, where would we be without them all?
What would the country do without our goldies, After they fought and answered the call.
How many lives did it take to bring them, back to their loved ones, wrecked and sore.
Too much for the human brain to consider, No spoken word to describe what they saw.
No such thing as money, or hand outs, no such thing as borrow or lend.
Recycle, adapt was our motto - it was always make do and mend.
But now we have lots of hot water, we have tv and plenty to eat,
Double glazed doors and windows, carpets and turn-on heat
We have plenty of comforts and a garden, photo’s but visitors few.
Our body is wearing, as is our brain but it may someday happen to you.
I sometimes forget what I’m saying, I turn on the tap but what for?
I remember my mother and father, but not the day before.
I just need a gentle reminder as I stare into space whilst I'm sitting
That its time to get ready for my day of fun, at the day centre, 'Later Life Living'.
Who Cares For That Carer?
By Megan Jenkins
"Who cares for that carer?", I hear a man say,
Her day blends with night and then night becomes day,
The cooking, the cleaning, the hospital trips,
The changing, the bathing, wiping food from his lips,
The meltdown, the tears.... So hard to endure
What keeps her from walking straight out of that door?
I'll tell you what stops me from leaving each day
And what gets me through when I don't want to stay
It begins with an "I" and ends with an "e",
It's a power, a force, emanating from me,
An empathic heart, a gift from above,
I do this, my friend, in the name of love.