See Me! - Author Unknown

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, nurses. You’re not looking at me. I’ll tell you
who I am as I sit here so still As I rise 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 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 is 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 hear
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!