The Crabby Old woman (copied and pasted by one of the newsletters from one of my associations (not therapy)

THE CRABBY OLD WOMAN When an old woman died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in Saskatchewan, it was believed that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem. This little old woman, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this beautiful anonymous poem. What do you see nurses? What do you see? What are you thinking when you're looking at me? A crabby old lady with faraway eyes? Who dribbles her food and makes no reply. Who seems not to notice the things that you do. And forever is losing a sock or shoe? Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding a 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. A young girl of Sixteen with wings on her feet. And 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 needs me to guide a secure happy home. 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 husband and me Dark days are upon me; my husband's now dead. I look at the future and 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. 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 and see. Not a crabby old woman. Look closer... see ME!!