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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. > > >