Our Elders Must feel Secure

In the USA these days,

people can't retire early,

I see, those in 70s and 80s,

still reporting to work.

The rent, and food,

not to speak of the nightmarish

medical bills,

makes them toil.

What developed country is it?

I think of my parents,

in rural India.

He retired from teacher job,

at mere 58,

Government-set age.

He had his pensions,

enough for him, wife,

and social needs.

Own spacious house,

paddy agriculture, cattle,

backyard orchard.

Homemade food,

no trip down

rabbit hole of

medical treatment.

He lived to 78.

After his passing,

mother gets widow pension,

more than enough

for her needs.

It's village life,

developing country,

yet it was secure.

Developed countries,

please, do better,

the elderly vulnerables,

need less scare, more care.