Look a bit closer

ALL too often the loving care and nursing needed for the elderly is brought sharply into question. The following is a poem, of unknown origin, that I have kept for a long time but which I think I need to share:
What do you see nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking when you are looking at me -
A crabby 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 is forever losing a stocking or shoe.
Who, interested or not, lets you do as you 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 nurse, you're not looking at me!
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still, I'm a small child with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet, Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride now at 20 – my heart gives a leap
Remembering the vows 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 ones grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At 40, my young sons have grown and have gone,
But my man's at my side to see I don't mourn.
At 50, 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,
As I look to the future, I shudder with dread
For my young are are all rearing young of their own.
I think of the years and the love I have known.
I'm an old woman now, and nature seems cruel,
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old body, 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 over again.