Thursday, October 27, 2005


11:00 AM

Found this poem very meaningful, came upon it in email. It's written by an old lady who was nursed till she passed away. Simple. Btw, i shortened it a little in e middle...

Crabby Old Woman
"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?
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. "...
(She tells of her life from a child to a teenage to a mother to a grandmother with a dead spouse)...
"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!! "

Hmm.. Do I actually treat a patient emotionally, beyond just doing tasks n following routines? Do I look into their heart and find out why they're anxious or worried? Do I love them enough? Am I concerned? Well, it wont be easy 2 do tat cos of the heavy workload but can try... This is gd reflection.
And i'm glad tat life for me doesn't just end when my body dies away. I'll be together with God in heaven where there's no pain nor suffering, enjoying fellowship. =)