Loneliness Is A Hurting Thing Poem by louis rams

once my heart was full of joy as i grew up from a baby boy.
i learned to love and i learned to hate.
i learned to sit and contemplate.
i learned the abc's of right and wrong.
i learned to fight and become big and strong.
i was taught by my elders or so it seemed
all about life and what it means.
the one thing that they could not teach-for they had not
gotten to reach-that time of life when you're old and gray.
and it seems that life has slipped away
they had gone through life's hall of fame
joys and sorrows they all have gained.
life has only two guarantees-age and death or so it seems.
they go through life and children they bear
to find when they're old 'that kids don't care.
now if you listen while they pray-'you will hear a small voice say'
oh lord take me away-please don't let me live another day.
this loneliness i cannot bear! i have no one with whom
i could share-the joys and fulfillments of yesteryear.
'oh dear god is this to be-not even any company.
no one to speak to -no one to hold
no one to call my very own.
when you reach that golden age, you become
like an animal in a gilded cage.
you pace the floor from wall to wall
wondering if you have the gall.
to start your life all anew and try to forget your solitude.
yes my friends-i'll tell you now loneliness is a heavy crown.
i'll tell you this'my children beware' age and death are very near.
when you stop and turn around-another step you have found.
with life there is no turning back
no one to help pick up the slack.
with pride and determination you move along
head held high-eyes are strong.
to face the challenge of what is to be.
loneliness and hearthaches must comfort me.