Whence Dust Buries! Poem by C.D. Xiang

They are now the forgotten,
treated no better then children,
watching with sad eyes
and wondering how this happened.

There was a time
when they were regarded
as sages; the wise men
and wise women.

Once they were listened to;
treated with respect
and dignity, for their experience
and commendable years.

What has come of those days?
When now they are ignored;
laughed at; humored.

An age that regards itself
as civilized; far advanced,
walked over; steps on;
brushed aside a generation.

A generation once heeded,
now wheedled away, over the years
they have become what we made
them; expected of them.

A pest; a nuisance;
infants in diapers;
invalids needing to be
waited upon.

Former leaders of men,
speakers of truth,
and holders of wisdom.

This is what they have
been reduced to,
the forgotten ones
watching with sad eyes.