This poem was written
by an
old women living
in a nursing home
in England and found
among
her things after she
died.
SEE
ME!
What do you see,
nurses? What do you see?
Are you thinking when
you look at me?
A crabby old women, 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
sock or a shoe.
Who unresisting or not,
lets you do as you will,
With bathing and
feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you think,
is that what you see?
Open your eyes, nurse,
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, and eat at your will,
I'm a small child of
ten, with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters
who loved 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 20, my
heart gives a leap.
Remembering the vows
that I promised to keep.
At 25 now, I have young
of my own,
Who need me to build a
secure, happy home.
A women of 30, my young
now grow so fast,
Bound to each other
with ties that should last.
At 40, my young sons
have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me
to see I don't mourn.
at 50 once more, babies
play round my knee,
Again we know children,
my loved one and me.
Dark days upon me, my
husband is dead,
I look at the future
and shudder with dread.
For my young are all
rearing young of their own,
And I think of the
years and the love that I've known,
I'm an old lady now and
nature is cruel,
Tis her jest to make
old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles,
grace and vigor depart.
There is now a stone
where I once had a heart.
But inside this old
carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again, my
battered heart swells,
I remember the joys and
I remember the pain,
And I'm living and
loving life over again.
I think of the years
... all to few,
And accept the stark
fact that nothing can last.
Open your eyes, nurse
open and see.
Not an empty old women,
look closer ... see "ME"
Author
Unknown
The music you are
listening to is
From Where I
Am
