Crabby Old Woman:

[Hacker]

What are you thinking ............ When you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman .............. 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 stocking or shoe?

Who, resisting 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 do 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 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............... 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!!

~Author: Anonymous~

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will all, one day, be there, too!

[little brit]

I remember my mother, a few years ago saying how tough it was when she looked in the mirror and saw an old woman, when inside she still feels like that little girl who ran home from school. I won't ever forget that.

[K D]

That was very sweet. Thanks for posting it

[Hacker]

Unlike most, I'm not scared to show my "softer side"

....and no comments from the peanut gallery

[Indio]

Unlike most, I'm not scared to show my "softer side"

....and no comments from the peanut gallery

[Hacker]

I know that you know that it takes a real man isn't afraid to show emotion Indio

[Indio]

I know that you know that it takes a real man isn't afraid to show emotion Indio

Yup, you and Dick really are REAL MEN

[Hacker]

You Dick really

How many times do I have to tell you that your a good lad, but I just don't play for that team

[Indio]

How many times do I have to tell you that I just play for that team

once is enough thank you very much!

[Hacker]

once is enough thank you very much!