Poems For An 80 Year Old.

[shivvy]

As mentioned in my previous post, my Mum is 80 and has Alzheimers. She has always loved poetry and words so I want to compile a file with poems that she remembers.

However I can only remember a few. Many of the poems she enjoyed were ones that she was taught at school when she was a child. Therefore I would love suggestions from anybody who might know what may have been taught in schools 70 years ago. I appreciate that it is a long shot but all answers will be appreciated.

[margie04]

What we read in Scotland at that time was JC Smith's Book of Verse for Boys and Girls - series of 5 - published OUP so you might be able to track down a copy. Lots of ballads, and strong rhythms. Sea Fever - Cargoes - Solitary Reaper - ode to Autumn/Nightingale - any old Tennyson! - Innisfree -. Good luck. My own mother loved the Omar Khayyam.

[margie04]

abebooks has copies for £1 or under.

[Buenchico]

The works of Kipling would have probably featured in the school curriculum, such as 'If'
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/famous/poem/if-by-rudyard-kipling
and 'A Smuggler's Song'
http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/peter.bellamy/songs/asmugglerssong.html

Edgar Allen Poe's 'Annabel Lee' might also be familiar to your mother
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/famous/poem/annabel-lee-by-edgar-allan-poe

Here's William Blake's 'Nurse's Song':
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/famous/poem/nurses-song-by-william-blake
and 'The Tyger'
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/famous/poem/the-tyger-by-william-blake

Longfellow's 'The Arrow and the Song', perhaps?
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/famous/poem/the-arrow-and-the-song

A A Milne's charming 'Teddy Bear'
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/famous/poem/teddy-bear-by-aa-milne

'The Listeners' by Walter De La Mare
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/177007

'Daffodils' (Wordsworth)
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/daffodils/

Chris

[shivvy]

Thanks margie and Chris. Very useful.

[bednobs]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nations-Favourite-Griff-Rhys-Jones/dp/0563387823

[atalanta]

Abu Ben Adhem ( query spelling)
Hiawatha

[DTCwordfan]

this was a school classic

http://allpoetry.com/poem/8493051-Night_Mail-by-W_H_Auden

[DTCwordfan]

and Kipling

http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/law_of_jungle.html

[starone]

I liked one about smugglers, but I can't remember what it was called. I know it was something about turning your head to the wall as the 'gentlemen' rode by. I expect Chris would know which one I mean. And Daffodils was a favourite too. And The Lady of Shallott. Have I spelled that right?

[starone]

And 'The Way through the Woods'.

[DTCwordfan]

kipling, starby....

http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_smuggler.htm

[starone]

Thanks DT - I loved reading that. Brought back many memories of my childhood. I am sure shivvy's Mum will like it.

[bunkmoreland]

My mother had dementia too shivvy. Her mother,my Nanny,taught my mother a love of poetry too. The age range is the same, and I know that Kipling was always a big favourite,especially "If". When my mother was unable to hold any sort of conversation,she could still remember bits of poetry. Also,she could still remember and sing bits of hymns, and songs from around the 40s 50s era.

[shoota]

Greensleeves

[paddywak]

Most of the ones I remember have all ready been mentioned, but Kipling was always popular and wrote verse on a wide range of subjects this is one of my favourites though it is rather sad it exactly sums up what it means to own a dog.

[paddywak]

forgot the link
http://www.dog-names.org.uk/dog-poems-poetry-power-dog.htm

[shivvy]

Thank you so much everyone.
I took on lots of your suggestions and gave my Mum the file today. It really was remarkable. By only seeing the first line she was able to recite entire chunks of the poems.
Also, although she used to be an avid reader, she hasn't read anything for quite some time. However after I went through all the poems with her she sat alone with the file reading every word - again and again!!

She had tears in her eyes and kept saying "you couldn't have got me a better present".

So sincerely, thank you to all of you for helping.

Shivvy

PS - My Dad died 3 weeks ago so in the file I put the little verse by Joyce Grenfell that we used on Dads Order of Service:

IF I SHOULD GO

If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So sing as well.

[DaisyNonna]

shivvy, what a lovely outcome for your mum. Sorry I missed earlier posts.