The Old Do Not Die As They Dreamed Poem by Shalom Freedman

THE OLD DO NOT DIE AS THEY DREAMED

The old do not die as they dreamed
They do not simply sleep.
They do not the day before
Loved ones surrounding
Clearly speak their loving farewell
To each and everyone.
The old do not die as they dreamed
They die with their minds gone
They die unable to see and to think
They die drugged to partial painlessness
They die in indignity.
They die one big death
After many small dyings
Gone to what they were
And hoped to be.
The old do not die as they dreamed
They die as it is given to them
However sad and degrading that be.