What See?
When an old lady in the Ashludie Hospital Geriatric Ward, near Dundee, Scotland, died, it appeared that she had left nothing of value. Then the nurse, going through her possessions, found this poem:
What do you see, nurses, what do you see? 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, 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, nurse, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still; As I do 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 build a secure, happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grow 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 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 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 living and loving 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!