Bed By the Window

[betts]

Two old friends shared a room - in a home for the elderly

Confined to their beds - their bodies had given - way.

Old Joe lay by the window - and watched the days go by

Bill LIVED to hear him tell - about the world outside

From the bed by the window - he'd tell how the children played

the lovers in the park - the ducks out on the lake . .

the little boy who swept the sidewalk - when the sun came up each day

From the bed by the window - he told it just that way.

They shared with each other - the stories of their lives

and relived all their memories - and dreamed of better times

Outside the leaves were changing - the summer turned to fall

and from the bed by the window - old Joe described it all

From the bed by the window - he'd tell how the children played

the lovers in the park - the ducks out on the lake . .

the little boy who swept the sidewalk - when the sun came up each day

From the bed by the window - he told it just that way.

Then on a cold winter morning - in the light of the dawn

the bed by the window was empty - Old Joe was gone

and then they moved Bill to the window - he couldn't hold back the tears

when he finally saw the view outside - after all those years

From the bed by the window

He couldn't see out at all

There was nothing out that window

but an old brick wall

Now a new man shares that room - in a home for the elderly

confined to his bed - his body has given way

Bill lies by the window - as the days go by

his new friend LIVES to hear him tell - about the world outside

From the bed by the window - he tells how the children play

the lovers in the park - the ducks out on the lake . .

The little boy who sweeps the sidewalk - when the sun comes up each day

From the bed by the window - he tells it just that way.

[RN-PA, RN]

Beautiful, betts-- Thank you. :)

[Fran-RN]

betts, you made me cry. My husband lived at a nursing home for the last 4 years of his life. He had a brainstem stroke at age 49 that left him unable to talk and a quadraplegic. and he had " A bed by the window" His view was the employee parking lot. I also put up birdfeeders for him. He really enjoyed being able to see who was coming and going and watching the all the different birds. right before he died, the local 4-H club brought their animals and set them up in the parking lot. he was gasping for breath but he still wanted me to position him so he could watch what was going on on outside. thank you for the beautiful poem.

[WeSignificants]

There is actually a book titled "The Bed By The Window". I can't find my copy right now (just completed house repairs) but you should be able to find it at a local book store. Was quite an interesting story.

[betts]

TY for the info WeSignificants.

[Fran-RN]

WeSignificants, Is this book about residents in Nursing home? or some one sick?