A very different outlook on Old People

I wanted to celebrate Abigail's Birthday in this blog today, but it was just too busy a day. I am planning tomorrows lessons at 12.30am and thought I would share this poem with you.This poem always brings a lump to my throat when I read it out at the start of my lesson on Old Age.

What do you see?

By Phyllis Mc Cormack

What do you see? What do you see?

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 loosing a stocking or shoe;

Who quite unresisting, 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, you're not looking at me;

I'll tell you what 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 sooner 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 will soon all be 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 at the future , I shudder with dread;

For my young are all busy, with 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,

'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool;

The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,

There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But still 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,

I'm loving and living life over again;

I think of the years all too few, gone to fast

And accept that stark fact that nothing can last,

So, open your eyes, open and see

Not a crabbit old woman, look closer - see me !