The Lonely, The Old, The Forgotten
		Alice E. Chase

She sits there waiting patiently 
and wipes away a tear,
	Wishing that a visitor 
	would suddenly appear.
Someone to say, “How are you?” 
And greet her with a smile,
	Someone to sit beside her 
	and chat a little while.
 
It's hard for her to understand 
just what she's doing there.
	What happened to her family 
	and friends who used to care?
How come she's been abandoned 
like some old worn-out shoe?
	What crime has she committed,
	what bad thing did she do?
 
True, she has a bed to sleep in 
and she's sheltered from the rain,
	But there's precious little else 
	to ease her loneliness and pain.
She's only one of many 
in an old folks home today
	Who finds the price for longer life 
	is much too high to pay.
 
The picture could be quickly changed 
if all of us would spend
	Some extra time just visiting 
	a relative or friend.
Who's shut away from all the things 
that once were held so dear,
	And needs to be reminded 
	that at least someone is near.

To take her by the hand and say,
	“How are you?” with a smile,
And then sit close beside her,
	and just love her for awhile.