The Old by Helen Hardy

“What would you do with riches?”
This question was asked of four –
“I’d nurse the sick and the crippled;
Give work to the worthy poor.”
The second replied, “The children
Would receive my shelter and care;
I’d spend my wealth on God’s own flowers,
And know I had done my share.”
“And I,” spoke up another –
“Would guide the mind of youth;
Teach it the right way of living,
That leads to the altar of Truth!”

The fourth one, smiling sadly –
“You’ve forgotten the old!” he cried.
“What you would do is kindly,
But it’s food for your own sleek pride.
Take to Old – the ones forgotten,
Whose useful days are gone,
Give them a breath of happiness,
“Ere a sunset carries them on.
They will not live to repay you,
As a monument you have bought;
But into the Future, they take
Your name, as a sacred thought!”