A
Poem
What
do you see, nurses, what do you
see,
what are you thinking when you're
looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very
wise,
uncertain of habit, with faraway
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, resisting 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, 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, as I
eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten with a
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 that I
promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young
of my own
who need me to guide and a secure
happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now
grown fast,
bound to each other with ties
that should last.
At forty my young sons have grown
and are gone,
but my man's beside me to see I
don't mourn.
At fifty once more babies play
round my knee,
again we know children, my loved
one and me.
Dark
days are upon me, my husband is
dead;
I look at the future, I 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 now an old woman and nature
is cruel;
'tis 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, 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 crabby old woman; look
closer -- see ME!!
Remember
this poem when you next meet an
old person. We will one day be
there too!!
©
2000 GFNEWS, a monthly
publication of the Golden Gate
Genealogy Forum, Inc. of
Franklin, MA.
(America Online Keyword: roots.)
The Editors
welcome your ideas and
articles,
success stories, favorite
genealogy research tips, comments
and suggestions.
©
2000 Graphics
By
Carol,
All Rights Reserved
