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age
30-35,
writes: "Crabbit Old Woman" What do you see, what do you see? Are you thinking, when you look at me- A crabbit old woman, not very wise, Uncertain of habit, with far-away 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 loosing a stocking or shoe. Who, unresisting or not; lets you do as you will With bathing and feeding the long day is fill. Is that what you're thinking, Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse, you're 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 10 with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters, who loved one another- A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet, Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet, A bride soon at 20- my heart gives a leap, Remembering the vows that I promised to keep. At 25 now I have young of my own Who need me to build a secure happy home; A woman of 30, my young now grow fast, Bound to each other with ties that should last; At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone, But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn; At 50 once more babies play around 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 is crumbled, 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 joy, 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. Reply to this Article
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female
reader, donda128  +, writes (7 June 2008):
so glad i found this.i used to work in a care home about 10 years ago and they had it on the wall there. Last month my friends mum went into a care home with dmentia(She no longer speaks)and watching the staff(who do a good job)i thought of this poem and tried to remember the words but couldnt so thank you foshowing it on this site. reading it once again brought tears to my eyes !!!!!
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reader, anonymous, writes (20 April 2008): Oh sweetheart
That made me have goosebumps all over, It reminded me of work and a lady that never spoke, Who had Rheumatoid Arthritis, She couldnt sit properly but they insisted on getting ger out of bed and leaving her in her chair in full view of everyone sliding down the chair with her clothes barely covering her. I used to go in and take her to her room and pop her comfortably in bed and change and wash her every afternoon, And one day she turned my face to hers and said "you are beautiful" never have I forgotten that her only words. I could see the person inside, Its very true thats beautiful hunny... XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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female
reader, Sweety Pie +, writes (21 March 2008):
 We read this in a RE lesson. It's a realy sweet poem and quite sad too.
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female
reader, eyeswideopen  +, writes (11 March 2008):
 Grandmas rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 March 2008): Awww...What a sweet poem!
Thanks for showing it on the site! x x x
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 March 2008): What an awesome poem, LJ001. My Grandmother died at 87 of cancer and right up to just a few days before she passed, she regaled wonderful stories to all of us about her life as a young girl, coming to Canada as a pioneer. How she met Gramps. The family she had. The experiences she had in the old days. Gosh, they worked hard in those days and with so little resources. She was a grand lady and even in severe pain, she managed to die with dignity and grace. We videotaped her stories in the 5-6 years, prior to her death, just to chronicle her life and times. And what a legacy for our children to have. To see this amazing grand lady---so proud, speaking with eloquence wisdom and grace.. Life isn't easy for our elderly people. Many of the aged are put into homes and simply forgotten about. While it is very challenging and tough for many of us to home-care out elderly relatives..(Because of medical problems) many times a retirement home is the best route to go.. Don't ever think just because many of them are there and with people of their own age, that they don't need their families to visit. Even if there medical problems cannot allow them to speak...always, always remember they still think, they still feel and they still need love to flourish. The aged are to be respected and held in esteem..we can learn so much from them. So thank you for sharing this most remarkable poem.
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 March 2008): Well, it is still fantastic.
take care
xx
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 March 2008): awww that's really sad, it's such a good poem though!! :-(
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 March 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionOh, just to mention, this unfortunately isnt my own work! But I'd certainly be pleased if it was! It was found amongst the possessions of an old woman, who sadly died in hospital.
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 March 2008): I love this poem, but I have read it somewhere else before.
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female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (11 March 2008):
Great, you have my mascara running! If I visit this site at work, I'm going to have to invest in some waterproof stuff.
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 March 2008): FANTASTIC! That is the best poem i have read in ages, well done!
take care
xx
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reader, anonymous, writes (10 March 2008): I love that poem, it's so nice!!!
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