Look Closer Nurse

Clearing/sorting came across this which a friend sent me during my mother's last hospital admittance. Not sure where to post.

LOOK CLOSER NURSE

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when 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 would try".
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
and forever is losing a stocking or two.
Who, quite unresisting, lets you do as you will
with bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is this what you're thinking? is this what you see?
Then open your eyes - you're 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'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 a true love she will meet.

A bride now at twenty, my heart gives a leap
remembering 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 growing fast,
bound to each other with ties that will last.

At forty my sons will soon all be gone,
but my man stays 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 gone
my young are all busy, with young of their own.
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 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 living and loving all 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 crabbit old woman, look closer - see ME.