~OLD THINGS HAVE MORE SOUL~

A FAVORITE POEM

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

hat do you see nurse, what do you see? What do you think when you're looking at me? A crabby old woman, not very wise, uncertain of habits and 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 and shoe, Who resisting or not, must do as you will, when 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!!!

'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'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 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 sons now grown and gone, but my man stays beside me to see I don't mourn.
t fifty, once more babies play round my knee, again we know children, my loved ones 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 that I've known. I'm an old woman now, and nature is cruel, It's her jest to make old age look like a fool. The body it crumbles, grace and vigor depart, There is now a stone, where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass, a young girl 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 too fast, And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
o open your eyes, nurse. Open and see. Not a crabby old woman, Look closer----see ME.

Anonymous

Written by a 92 year-old woman--found by niece in her personal belongings after her death.

When I'm 64

When I Am An Old Woman

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me; And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves and satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired; And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells; And run my stick along the public railings and make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain and pick the flowers in other people's gardens and learn to spit. I can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat and eat three pounds of sausages at a go or only bread and a pickle for a week I'll be able to hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes. But now I must have clothes that keep me dry and pay my rent and not swear in the street and set a good example for the children. I will have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now so people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple!!!
~ Written by Jenny Joseph ~