Darwin I am sorry but I found this on the web while searching for another
poet. I have read this before and the story behind it is as follows. A Nurse
was told to clean a patients bed side locker after she the patient had
passed away. The Nurse came across this lovely poem and passed it on to a
newspaper. I believe it went around the World. My brother in Australia
passed it on to me a few years ago. I believe I still have it somewhere
among my papers. It is very touching and you are not the only one to have
tears in his eyes while reading the same. Have a nice day bern. Peace Shalom
Pax.
http://members.teleweb.at/bernard.shaw/poetry.html
[log in to unmask]
If your face wants to smile,Let it.
If it doesn't make it.
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Hawkins, Darwin <[log in to unmask]>
An: <[log in to unmask]>
Gesendet: Friday, September 24, 1999 5:01 PM
Betreff: A MUST READ!


> Very moving!
>
> I am sitting here crying after reading this. I removed the NON PD from the
> subject as this is a powerful message that all need to read. I'm thinking
of
> printing it up nicely, framing it and sending it to the nursing home where
> my mother is now confined. Do you know the author so proper credit can be
> given or permission obtained?
>
> > ----------
> > From:         Bernard Shaw[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent:         Friday, September 24, 1999 7:20 AM
> > Subject:      Non PD
> >
> > Found while searching web made a deep impression Bern.
> >
> >
> > Crabbit Old Woman
> >
> > What do you see nurse, what do you see?
> > What 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 not reply,
> > When you say in a loud voice,"I do wish you would try!"
> >
> > Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
> > And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
> > Who, unresisting or not, lets you do as your 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 , you're not looking at me.
> >
> > I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
> > As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
> > I am a small child of ten with a father and mother,
> > Brothers and Sisters who love one another.
> >
> > A young girl at sixteen with wings at 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 build a secure happy home.
> > A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
> > Bound to each other with ties that should last.
> >
> > At forty my young now soon will be gone,
> > But my man stands beside me to see I don't mourn.
> > At fifty 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 busy rearing young of their own
> > And I think of the years and the love I have known.
> >
> > I'm an old lady now and nature is cruel,
> > 'Tis her jest to make old age look a fool?
> > The body it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
> > And now there is a stone, where I once had a heart.
> > But inside this old carcass, a young still dwells,
> > And now and again  my battered heart swells.
> > I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
> > And I am loving and living life over again.
> > I think of the years all too few, gone so 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.
> >
>