What Do You See Nurse?

I had to repost this. I found it on the 2nd semester blog, posted by Randy. I am not sure who wrote it though. I thought it was appropriate for all of us to keep in mind since dealing with elderly clients in a hospital setting is fairly new for most of us.

What Do You See Nurse?

What do you see, nurse, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you look at me?
A crabbed old women, not very wise
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes.
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try."
Who seems to not notice the things that you do
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will
With bathing or 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 there so still.
As I move 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 at sixteen with wings on her feet
A bride soon at twenty--my heart gives a leap
Remembering the vows I promised to keep.
At twenty-five, now, I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure happy home.
A women of thirty, my young now grow fast
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty my young now will soon be gone,
But my man stays 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 all busy rearing young of their own.
I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel.
Tis her just to make old age look like a fool.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigor depart.
There is now just a stone where I once was a heart.
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 all over again.
I think of the years all to few-- gone so fast.
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurse, open and see.
Not a crabbed old women--look closer--SEE ME.