MAN DIED ALONE IN AN OLD AGE HOME. WHAT HE LEFT BEHIND BROUGHT TEARS TO EVERYONE’S EYES

The following touching story is about a man at a nursing home that had unusual patients. This man wrote about his life during his last days and created a heart-touching poem. This man, Mak Filiser, he died at age 86 in a nursing home with no family members by his side. This is why the nurses thought that he left nothing valuable behind.

After he passed away the nurse went to his room to clean it. She found something that changed the way she thought of this old man. That thing was piece of paper with a poem written by Mark. After reading the poem the nurse was so overwhelmed that she wanted to share it with everyone in the nursing home.

Many people nowadays leave their old parents in nursing homes. This poem is an eye opener for those who do. The people we leave are those that raised us, took care for us and loved us when we needed them the most. And once they need us we turn our back to them. The name of the poem is “Cranky Old Man” and it teaches us a very valuable lesson about this matter.

Cranky Old Man

By Mak Filiser

What do you see nurses? What do you see?

What are you thinking…when you’re looking at me?

A cranky 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 is 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…I 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.

It’s 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 man 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 cranky old man.

Look closer…see…ME!! ”