The origins of this poem are not clear some say it was written by a nurse others by a lady called kate and was found amongst her belongings after she had past away in a nursing home.


An anonymous poem
What do you see, nurse, what do you see,
what are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabbit 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 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, nurse, open and see,
not a crabbit old woman; look closer - see ME!!

I have read this beautiful write a couple yrs.ago.It is deeply moving & thought provoking indeed.I have come to the conclusion that the writer is the elderly woman because within the write she is addressing the nurse quite obviously.It is a blessing that her caretaker had released this poem into the public for it to be read & appreciated.Thx! for sharing.Godspeed!Cy

Yes i to agree it must have been wrote by the elderly lady, it really does make you think, and me being me each time i read it the tears flow. Anna x

Coincidentally I had made a similar ref.last wk inside of my birthday thread.For it is undeniably true that I shall remain young at heart until the day comes that I am called home.I honestly believe that this mind set provides nourishment to-wards our mental well being & overall health.May happiness reign always over sadness.Amen!Godspeed!Cy {{{bear~hug}}}

you must be a very old` soul,..

sad that we have to return from whence we've come, it's inevitable I guess. Altzheimers, feebleness, and feeling of uselessness are all part of the despair that comes to the elderly. Always make them as comfortable as you can for they have paved the way for your very existence....I absolutely loved this, very well written and filled with the realities of life.

Thank you Huck for a constructive post. Anna x