ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Share a Hug ... Maureen Clifford © 05/11



For those who have no one or nothing to love, each day is a torturous tome
Inside they have knowledge and love they could share but there is no one in their home
save a goldfish, a budgie and maybe a cat - the old dog had passed years before
and now days go by without hearing a voice and they wonder - what is this life for?

You see them at Doctors, you see them in Malls – they’re the ones always eager to chat.
To make a connection if but for a minute, to talk about weather and that
it’s terrible just how much food costs have risen and meat’s an incredible price.
They’re happy their Grandkids are coming to visit this weekend and that will be nice.

For some folks the only time they feel a touch of another is medically bound.
And how sad is that? This is why so many relate to their pets I have found.
For a pet gives great comfort and security and they always have time wherever you be
to just sit beside you and listen quietly – and to some that’s a necessity.

So if you have a neighbour, acquaintance or friend – don’t be shy – give a hug when you meet.
It says that you’re happy to see them today and it’s just such a nice way to greet
those folks that make up a portion of your life – that wonderful human connection
and a hug just might mean so much to them. Sign of friendship as well as affection.

I saw Kylie Minogue the other day looking terribly lonely, so I went to share a hug with her, but her bodyguard beat me up.

Ha ha Neville!

Seriously, Maureen - this is so true. We all need to remember that a hug is a great gift, and one size fits all!

Cheers
Shelley

The devil made me do it Shelley.



Most days when I am in the shopping centre at Singleton I see a number of familiar people, mainly older men, who seem to just hang around the shops each day looking for someone to talk to.
I say hello to them, sometimes, I stop and listen while they bash my ear.
One fellow was schizophrenic but I used to have a bit of a mag with him.
He caused a bit of trouble around the shops but never caused me any trouble, I think he was just lonely. I think he would have been less " troublesome" if people had just cut him some slack for his disability and talked with him not at him.
Maureen is right, they are out there.

Next Thursday at the library, my friend Heather Searles and I are doing some bush poetry for the nursing home people. I always go round and shake each persons hand and say little word of encouragement.

Good on you Neville.

Hope you and Heather have a lovely day ... we enjoy performing for the oldies too, especially when something triggers nostalgia, amd they share their memories with us.

Cheers
Shelley

I notice that Neville refers to them as 'nursing home people' as opposed to 'old people'.....you obviously don't live in a glass house Neville...

Well spotted Ross

Oh Neville, I can empathise - I tried that with George Clooney once and got the same result!

But seriously though, this is indeed so true Maureen. It underlines how important it is to be kind, and to try to be aware of what others might be feeling. One of my favourite quotes was originally credited to Shakespeare when I first read it as a youngster, yet now I can't seem to find it anywhere when I come to look...."Obscure is half of all that lies behind one suffering human face."

Although I know there are many times in life when we can be completely unaware of someone's loneliness or pain, I think this quote is always a good one to remember.

Thanks everyone - this seems to have struck a chord with most people - appreciate all your kind comments