A poem reputed to have been found in the effects of an old lady who died at a nursing home in Scotland.  Whether or not this is true, it is still a moving poem.

CRABBY OLD WOMAN

What do you see nurses? ............ What do you see?
What are you thinking.....................When you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman......................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 not to notice.............The things that you do
And forever is losing.....................A stocking or shoe.

Who, resisting or not,....................Let's 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,
As I do at your bidding..................As I eat at your will,
I'm a small child of ten...................With a father and mother
With brothers and sisters..............Who love one another.

A young girl of sixteen....................With wings on 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've promised to keep.

At twenty-five now...........................I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide..................And 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 sons..................Have grown and are gone,
But my man is 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 to the future............................And shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing...........Young of their own,
And I think of the years...................And the love I have known.

I'm now an old woman....................And nature is cruel,
It jests and makes old age.............Look like a fool!
My body it crumbles.......................Grace and vigour depart
There is now a stone......................Where 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 over again

I think of the years.........................All too few,  gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that......Nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people.........Open and see,
Not a crabby old woman;.............Look closer.........see ME ! !