WISHES, HOPES AND DREAMS
| I have told of my friend in a nursing home In verse that is on this site His face told the story of wisdom His thoughts were clear and bright. He had such a positive nature But this day he looked so sad So I thought I'd try to cheer him up He was the only aged friend I had. And though I was in my early teens I could chat with this older man He made me feel all grown up Our difference in years he could span. "You're always so happy and carefree." I said "Please don't ever let that change." "But today you seem heavy hearted And for you, that seems so strange." He gave a light hearted chuckle Then carefully gazed at me. "I was thinking of all that's wrong in this world And the changes I'd like to see." "I'm not what you'd call a 'saintly' chap I'm an average, 'Aussie' type bloke. I still enjoy an occasional drink And I still like to have a smoke." "I'm a long way from being perfect I'm just an ordinary man And I can't always live by the 'Good Book' Though I do the best that I can." "But even an ancient codger like me Sees too many ills that occur. And I read of things in the 'paper' And they prick my heart like a spur." "I'll tell you of what I've been thinking." And his face wore the heaviest frown "I have wishes and hopes and dreams." He said "And sometimes they weigh me down." "If I possessed a magic wand For just one precious day I'd cure the world of all its ills And chase its sins away." "I have hopes and dreams aplenty That I know will never be But these hopes are so important They're my personal fantasy." "Perhaps a world that's perfect Is not in mankind's scheme But in this land of freedom I have the right to dream." "I dream the day will finally come When all the wars will cease And all the people of this earth Find everlasting peace." "That people will realise The shame and the disgrace When we judge a fellow human By the colour of their face." "Every country has its 'lemons' That's clearly understood But in every country on this earth You'll find hearts pure and good." "I dream terrorists will realise Their cause will make no gain When through their heartless actions The innocent are slain." "I hope for a world of friendship Where hatred is unsown. I wish for a world of sharing Where hunger is unknown." "I hope that medical science Will finally succeed In finding all the answers For the cures we badly need." "And especially cures for children Who face torment every day I want to see smiles on their faces I want to hear them laugh and play." "I dream the old aged and infirm Will be shown their due respect And not be treated heartlessly With ignorance and neglect." "I detest domestic violence I wish each woman and each man Could recapture all the tenderness They had when love began." "I wish every man and woman Would respect their chosen mate And realise that violence Just gives birth to hate." "That shootings are unheard of At universities and schools And the children are protected From sick, demented fools." "I hope paedophiles will disappear And children will be free To live their life as children should How grand that world would be." "I dream that street kids will find solace And not be forced to roam That they'll make peace with their families And they'll be welcomed home." "I wish that murderers and rapists And senseless, heartless thugs Were locked away forever With those who sell teenagers drugs." "I dream we'll find a cure for addicts To free them from their strife That their bondage will be broken So they can resurrect their life." "That drunken drivers are unheard of That they'll hesitate to think How their skills have been diminished When they've had too much to drink." "And they'll realise their conscience Will pay a life-long cost If through their foolish action another life is lost." "I dream all the homeless people Will find a home again They live a life of deep despair Their faces show their pain." "I dream earth's creatures are protected From the cruelty of man And are permitted, unmolested To follow nature's plan." "Another thing that sickens me And fills my heart with rage Is a fowl condemned to spend its life In a tiny battery cage." "That our forests are protected From arsonists and such It's the home of mother nature And she keeps our hearts in touch." "In touch with plants and wildlife And to breathe its fresh, pure air To walk in hand with nature Is a feeling rich and rare." "I dream of oceans free of oil spills And among my favourite schemes I dream of unpolluted rivers And unpolluted streams." "In my life I've talked with many And most of them it seems Are in complete agreement They share my wishes, hopes and dreams." "But the human mind is fickle It can push wrongs out of sight And while we just ignore them We'll not make these wrongs right." "There are many things we cannot change And many things we can But few would listen to my words I'm just an ancient man." We talked of many other things That filled his heart with dread And the words he spoke still echo Through the years since he's been dead. He left this life so long ago But still I see his face And the memories that he gave me Nothing will replace. Though his mind was full of wisdom His heart was soft and kind And earth's humans and its creatures Were always on his mind. Old age never wearied him He lived life every day And I listened so intently To each word he had to say. The last time that I saw him He said he knew his years were spent He made me promise not to mourn him He seemed so happy and content. Such men pass through life unnoticed And I often wonder why But the words he spoke stay with me They'll be with me 'til I die. I hope future generations Will find the ways and means To provide some of the answers For his wishes, hopes and dreams K.D. Abbott © 2008 |
| NOTES: Battery cages: (also called laying cages) are a confinement system used for egg-laying hens. The R.S.P.C.A. of Australia claims that the hen is unable to stand properly in this cramped condition. There are humane alternatives to the battery cage in the form of barn and free range. Codger: Amusingly eccentric or grumpy elderly man. Related Poems: The Nursing Home Thoughts of an Older Man Moments to Remember |
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