Mid Week Motif
they can barely feed themselves
let alone a dog or cat
on a meagre pittance
thankfully body warmth replaces the heating
they cannot afford
no point in getting all sentimental about
the sacrifices they made for a better world
ok a bit of political posturing every now and again
just to hide the reality of our heartless jungle society
these elderly people are useless commodities
just taking up precious space and resources
it is not pc to state this for we need to pretend
we have progressed since the time of the savage
if only we could do the old inuit trick
deposit them on an ice floe which drifts out to sea
(especially all those who cannot fund their retirement)
we could wave goodbye in tears at the shore line
with full media coverage and say how sad it all is ...but life goes on
( for us anyway)
we are working on it
Good satire roasting an awful trend in the world I know.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad but true.. care and dignity for the elderly is a huge challenge in the modern social context...even more horrific where compounded by ill health and poverty.
ReplyDeleteIndeed !
DeleteYou clearly are thinking of the need the government sees to reduce aged pensions whilst still allowing multinationals evade tax altogether in Australia and at the same time increasing imports at the cost of local jobs ensuring a larger unemployed workforce.
ReplyDeletethe poem is like a dagger striking again and again on our conscience...
ReplyDeleteOh good - pleased to hear it !
DeleteSad that the elderly are seen as being a nuisance in many cases these days..Lack of respect is obvious in this world of haste and selfishness..Weel related in your poem..
ReplyDeleteEileen
Oh this pierces me in many ways. Good satire Rail. I hope the world opens its heart and sees the cruelty in discarding our old ones.
ReplyDeleteThe picture looks so sweet and heartwarming — but the poem uncovers the uncomfortable and unconscionable truth behind it. As an Age Pensioner I know whereof you speak! Poems like this give honour to the elders in a truer way than some Governments do.
ReplyDeleteThe elderly..the 'sick'...just who is left upon the shore when the powers that be decide we are of no use...perhaps it should be the other way around...cast them out..good to hear your voice again Rall..
ReplyDeleteA custom I hope I can do is know when it is my time and walk away into the woods.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I think I was dreaming I could take care of myself in most situations.
Have a blessed night.
Oh you have nailed it, kiddo!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, thought-provoking and inflammatory - the stuff good poems are made from, Rall. Have you seen the film "Soylent Green"? The comment about "disposing" of our elders on ice floes brought that to mind...
ReplyDeleteNo I have not seen that movie. Sounds depressing:)
ReplyDelete