Crabby Old Lady

When I first read this poem, I felt a little saddened by it, remembering a documentary on PBS regarding Alzheimer's  in Nursing Homes. It centered on one particular patient.

Now, I have to be honest that I didn't see the complete version from beginning to end, but more of the middle to end.

What struck me as sad was the fact that during this entire filming, I did not see anyone from her family visiting her. Maybe, they did in the beginning, not sure.

In her room , she had many pictures of her grandchildren and dear ones. She often spoke about her life and memories with others, yet she was facing old age alone.

I'm not here to remark on whether or not nursing homes are good, all I know is that I felt such pity for her. Her entire life was in that room, that's what it came down to. Her life packed into one little room. She was so much more than that and I felt the sadness of that reality.

I think we forget that seniors are people who have lived full lives and we place them in a room filled with their memories and forget all about them.

The following poem was sent from my dear mentor, Grandma Barb. I hope you enjoy.


Crabby Old Lady What do you see nurses? .. .. .. What do you see?
What are you thinking .. .. .. when you're looking at me?
A crabby old lady .. .. .. 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 sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not .. .. .. lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding .. .. .. a 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 girl 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 guide .. .. .. 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 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's now dead.
I look at 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 that I've known.

I'm now an old woman .. .. .. and nature is cruel.
'Tis 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 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!!

Have a Blessed day everyone.