A crabby old woman, not very wise,Uncertain of habit with faraway eyes?

"What do you see, nurses, what do you see?

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

A crabby old woman, not very wise,

Uncertain of habit with faraway eyes?

I’m a small child of 10 with a mother and father,

Brothers and sisters who love one another.

I’m a bride in her 20’s, my heart gives a leap,

Remembering the vow that I promised to keep.

I’m a woman of 30. My young now grow fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last.

Now I am 40. My children have grown and gone.

And my man is beside me to see I don’t mourn.

At 50, once more babies play round my knees,

Again we know children, my husband and me.

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 vigor depart.

I’m weak and there is an ache in my 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 am 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, nurses, open and see.

Not a crabby old woman. Look closer, see me."

--Author Unknown