Crabby Old Woman, in an old age home

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 do at your bidding,


>> 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\r\n 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 vigour 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, people,> Open\r\n and see,> Not a crabby old woman;>

Look closer . . . see ME!!