Post by Phoebe on Dec 20, 2004 9:23:32 GMT -5
*This poem was found in the hospital locker of an elderly lady after her death*
What do you see nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking, when you are looking at me,
A crabbit old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far away eyes.
Who dribbles her food, and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice "I do wish you'd try".
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who unresisting or not,lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes nurses, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I use at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten, with father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty, my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a happy secure home.
A young woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty my young ones now grow will soon be gone,
But my man stays beside me, to see I dont mourn.
At fifty once more, babies play round my knees,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look to the future , I shudder with dread.
For my young are all busy rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years, and the love I have known.
I'm an old woman now, and nature is cruel,
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
There is now a stone, where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcase, a young girl still dwells,
And now and again, my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years, all too few - gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So OPEN YOUR EYES nurses, open and see,
Not a crabbit old woman, Look closer ....... see me.
What do you see nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking, when you are looking at me,
A crabbit old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far away eyes.
Who dribbles her food, and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice "I do wish you'd try".
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who unresisting or not,lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes nurses, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I use at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten, with father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty, my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a happy secure home.
A young woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty my young ones now grow will soon be gone,
But my man stays beside me, to see I dont mourn.
At fifty once more, babies play round my knees,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look to the future , I shudder with dread.
For my young are all busy rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years, and the love I have known.
I'm an old woman now, and nature is cruel,
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
There is now a stone, where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcase, a young girl still dwells,
And now and again, my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years, all too few - gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So OPEN YOUR EYES nurses, open and see,
Not a crabbit old woman, Look closer ....... see me.
