Scotland
Geriatric Ward.
I apologise I have no name or date.
This poem was found in the possessions of an elderly lady who died in the Geriatric ward.
It is so moving "I would like to call it, the poetry of her life"
But It is called.
See Me.
What do you see? nurse's, what do you see, what are you thinking when you look at me? a crabby old women 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 losing a stocking or too.
who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will with bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what your thinking? is that what you see?
Then open your eye's nurse your 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 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 to meet,
A bride soon at twenty- my heart gives a leap remembering the vow's I promised to keep.
At twenty five now, I have young of my own, who need me to build a secure and happy home.
A women of thirty, my young now grow fast.
At forty, my young son's 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 rearing young of their own and I think of the years and the love I've known.
I'm an old women now and nature is cruel, it's her jest to make old age to look like a fool.
The body is crumbled, grace and vigour departed, there is now a stone where once I 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 so fast, and accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes nurses and see, not a crabby old women! look closer nurses. See Me?............
Agman
"When I wrote Sweet Old Lady down the street" this is exactly what I was trying to create and by these standards I failed.
this lady is an unknown giant in the Poetry world, this is just so beautiful , I hope you liked it.
Agman
I don't know your name! I don't know your face, but I'm sure when you reach those pearly gates you will float through like an angel full of grace.....
