Sorry I Am Alive.

Goldfinch60



Yes I am getting old!

And am told that I am to blame!

The Health service problem is all my fault!

The doctors are managing to postpone my death,

But I don’t go to the doctors often,

Maybe two or three times a year.

 

For all my working life I have paid without fail,

I have contributed to the nation

Through taxes and insurance.

For forty six years money went to the government

So that I could be repaid when retired,

And expect help when ill.

 

I paid into a pension as well

So that I wouldn’t be a drag on society.

I’ve done my bit.

Now that I am retired I still pay tax.

On the pensions for which I paid,

And yet I am being blamed for the lack of funds.

 

We are told that the aging population

Is causing all the financial trouble

In the Health Service.

I am sorry that I am aging,

Do you want me to die

As soon as I stop working?

 

But I don’t go to the hospital

If I have a cold or flu!

I don’t roll into hospital

Drunk on a Friday or Saturday night!

I don’t go to hospital

If I can’t get an immediate GP appointment.

 

So I am sorry if my aging body and mind

Are thought to be the problem;

But I have played my part,

I have paid my dues.

But I am lucky and hope to live for much longer,

And not be a drag on society.

 

  • Author: Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: April 20th, 2023 01:15
  • Comment from author about the poem: I am not to blame just because I have aged in life.
  • Category: Reflection
  • Views: 23
  • Users favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet, L. B. Mek.
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Comments7

  • orchidee

    Us two know - we're millions of years old. Was there NHS 10 million years BC?
    Yes, it's a bit inconvenient still being alive sometimes - for others, not for us. Doh!

    • Goldfinch60

      Yes, others just do not understamd it.

      • orchidee

        In a comedy film, two people met after many years. One said 'I thought you was dead!' The reply was 'Well, I was alive the last time I checked!' lol.

      • Doggerel Dave

        Who told you that? Wouldn't take it personally. There's a whole cohort of baby boomers about to drop off the twig with you when you are ready. In the meantime you will require more medication and surgery (unless you are extremely lucky) before you pop off.
        The answer is not to personalise the issue (just who told you that?) But for a halfway decent government to provide extra care or a simple way to check out when you have had enough.

        • Goldfinch60

          I am very lucky in my life in that I do not require much medication and can deal with most of my health problems.
          The trouble is those running the country do not wish to deal with the problems of others.

          Andy

          • Doggerel Dave

            I hope you voted against BREXIT and will vote for the Greens at next election, Andy....................................................... πŸ˜‡!!!

          • 2 more comments

          • 2781

            I read your stories on most days,they are a joy to read. Lives lived to the full, the blessed die in their sleep.

            • Goldfinch60

              So true 2781 but I am not going yet, I still have too much to do.

              Andy

              • 2781

                Amen.

              • Accidental Poet

                Just keep smiling Andy, you're ahead of the game everyday. πŸ˜‰πŸ‘

                • Goldfinch60

                  Thank you AP, I am always smiling and am very lucky in my life.

                  Andy

                • David Wakeling

                  Its tough when you get older and have medical problems.I know from personal experience.Its time to get in touch with family.they can be a comfort at this time.

                  • Goldfinch60

                    Thank you David, I am so lucky in that I have no medical problems but the government still wish us oldies would part earlier so they can have the money that we have.

                    Andy

                  • sorenbarrett

                    As is usually the case, the problem is being shifted to distract from what the real problem is. Cost of medical care is too high, with technology trying to achieve immortality. Some treatments have proportionately too high of a cost to be practice. Also with the drop in birth rate a smaller group or people are supporting the care of a larger group due to a government that spent the money previously contributed for other things. Don't take it personal I am in the same boat and will go down with the ship.

                    • Goldfinch60

                      Tue words soren, that ship of ours will not go down for a long time yet.

                      Andy

                    • L. B. Mek

                      'I don’t roll into hospital
                      Drunk on a Friday or Saturday night!'
                      an important, well considered and timely write
                      dear cherished Poet
                      (ain't it absurd, how statistics
                      are now merely a weaponised, tool
                      for agenda driven politicised
                      'trending topics'
                      where did all that societal outcry
                      during covid, go
                      when government, ignorance
                      endangered such a large portion
                      of our elderly
                      and now what... how ludicrous
                      ageism, just another
                      BRAND
                      of systemic segregation, implanted
                      into our daily lives, just to make
                      our situations, that little bit harder)

                      • Goldfinch60

                        @Very good and true comments Mek, thank you.

                        Andy



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