Comfort in poetry: When You Are Old

Chosen by Mandy

This timeless poem by W. B. Yeats beautifully captures the essence of remembering and cherishing the moments that make life meaningful. This poem is a gentle reminder of the journey of life and is chosen by Mandy, our first scheduler here at Home Instead Wandsworth, she holds this poem close to her heart. Originally from New Zealand, with Irish heritage, Mandy has a background in publishing and a love of poetry passed down from her grandparents. She finds great solace in these lines and wanted to share with us:

When You Are Old by W. B. Yeats

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,  

And nodding by the fire, take down this book,  

And slowly read, and dream of the soft look  

Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;  

How many loved your moments of glad grace,  

And loved your beauty with love false or true,  

But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,  

And loved the sorrows of your changing face;  

And bending down beside the glowing bars,  

Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled  

And paced upon the mountains overhead  

And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

Chosen by Tony

Chosen by Tony, our owner and director at Home Instead Wandsworth, John Masefield’s Cargoes is a rhythmic, vivid poem that paints a picture of exotic voyages, filled with life’s own treasures and adventures. For Tony, Cargoes holds nostalgic significance, as it’s the first poem he memorised as a child. The poem resonates with life’s journeys and the richness of experience. The opening lines convey this sense of movement and memory:

Cargoes by John Masefield

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,  

Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,  

With a cargo of ivory,  

And apes and peacocks,  

Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

These vibrant lines can be a beautiful reminder of life’s many adventures and the treasures of memory.

Poetry with local roots

Our community has a strong poetic heritage, with poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who once lived in Lambeth. His poem, This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison, written during a time of personal reflection, speaks to finding peace and beauty in everyday surroundings.