Nurses what do you see poem

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead. I look at the future, I shudder with dread. For my young are all 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. The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart. There is a stone where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells, And now again my bittered 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 The poem was found by aged care workers in a facility in Dundee, Scotland, after a resident passed away. Today, this poem is infamous around the world in aged care and is always a reminder to respect and value each and every older individual. What do you see, nurses, what do you see?

A crabby old woman, not very wise, Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes? Is that what you see? A bride soon at twenty — my heart gives a leap, Remembering the vows that I promised to keep. Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.

I'm a small child of ten 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 guide and a secure happy home. A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast, Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone, But my man's 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 rearing young of their own, And I think of the years and the love that I've known. I'm now an old woman 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 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.