Growing Old

The time has come

she can’t

take care

of herself no more.

She has to go

into an old folk’s home

things won’t be

like before.

When we visit her

we see

old people

all around.

We’re shocked

by seeing them

like that,

not making any sound.

We remember

how it was

the family

at home.

How she loved

and cared for us.

Now all of

that is gone.

In our childhood

we look up

time cannot

go too fast.

But we’re afraid

of growing old,

going back

into the past.

Joke van der Ark

Nr. 008 – 23 oktober 1989