What do you see Nurse

WHAT DO YOU SEE NURSE

THE CRABBIT OLD WOMAN

I was given this poem on a sheet of paper when I was a 1st Year Student Nurse in 1980 by my Nurse Tutors.

As a Student I kept it by my bed to remind me every day of why I wanted to be a Nurse.

Today I pass it on to future Nurse Students and hope it has the same impact on them as it had on me.

What do you see, nurse, what do you see?

What are you thinking when you're looking at me?

A crabbit 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 forever is losing a sock or a shoe.

Who unresistingly 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.

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 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 young woman of thirty my young now grow fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At forty my young ones now grown will be gone,

But my husband 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 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 I have known.

I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel.

The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart.

There now is a stone where I once had 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, nurse, open and see.

Not a crabbit old woman….. look closer, see ME.