My graduation in June of 1994

What do you see nurse??
What do you see,when your 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 said 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 unresisting or not,lets you do as your will,
With bathing and feeding,the long day to fill.
Is that what your thinking?
Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, your not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I move at your bidding,
As I eat at your will.
I am a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another.

A young gilr 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 build a secure happy home,
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At fourty my young ones will soon all be gone,
But my man stands 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 rearing young of their own
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm an old lady now and nature is cruel,
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool,
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
And now there is a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass, a young one 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 to few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes nurse,open and see,
Not a crabbit old woman,
Look closer, see ME.