This poem makes me think about my father who contributed so much to the world around him both personally and professionally and was then basically put out to pasture far too early in his life.  As a physicist and researcher he spent his life developing test equipment for Apollo missions and working on various new ways to test for and measure radiation along with the dozens of other projects he did on over the years.   As a kid I used to visit his office during the summer time and watch him happily working on experiments with his graduate students.  He left me with a lot to look and live up too – in my mind.
 
I can of tern tell that my Dad still wishes he could be “out there” working on something and that the old research bug is still in him even though no one asks him for his help or invites him to contribute to their projects.  As you said in your poem, “He has almost lived past his ability to matter”.  That might be true for him professionally and that is unfortunate.  However, I can tell you that it is far from true within our family.  I can tell you that my sister and I still lean on him and his seemingly boundless strength and courage to face things in life when we don’t know what to do or do not have the experience.  And you should see my nieces light up when their Grandpa comes around and teaches them about the world around them by showing them the flowers in the garden or the new leaves on the trees or the fresh shoots coming up in the vegetable garden.  I can’t remember him having that much patience with me when I was a small child!  And after 42years of marriage, it is obvious that my mother still counts on him each and every day.
 
What I am trying to say, in a far to long winder manner, is that time changes everything but as long as we have love and are loved, we are never truly useless.  I think my father is ever so slowly starting to realize this and may even be able to see it as a gift someday in spite of how he feels sometimes.  I sincerely hope that you have the love of family and friends to surround you and help you remember that while there is breath there is hope and you are never really useless to those you love.
 
You poem is very well written, touching and though provoking.  Really, it is quite beautiful in a sad way.  It is also an unfortunate commentary of how our society squanders the wisdom and experience of generations of our best people and contributors.  Sorry about my long response but I think I’ll give my Dad a call and tell him I love him tonight!  Thanks!