Words

[sparks]

What Do You See

What do you see nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you look at me?
A crabbed 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 you do
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will
With bathing and feeding, a long day to fill

Is that what you are thinking, is that 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 you 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 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 women at thirty my young now grow fast
Bound to each other with ties that should last
At forty my young now will soon 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 have 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 I have 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
And now there’s 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 to few and gone so fast
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last

So open your eyes nurses open and see
Not a crabbed old women, look closer, see me.

 

[Ann B]

Sparks,

Those words ring so true and touched me. And once more I thought of my own dear mom and of her last years in a nursing home.
I thought it so important then to fill her room with photos of her life, and to swap stories with the carers of her experiences, so that they could see.

'No more a child,
No more a girl,
Long summer days
Heart in a whirl,
And I still feel just the same,
So can I do it all Again?

Ann

 

[Jayell]

Such true words Sparks. People forget that the old and infirm have been young once. I read somewhere that it would be a good idea to put a photo of the old person (when they were in their prime), above their bed/chair, so that it would bring home that they weren't always dependent on others, and had a life of their own once.

 

[postie]

It says it all, thanks for sharing.

 

[jennyann]

Thanks for posting Sparks. Very revealing and beautifully expressed.

 

[Wendy]

The words are so lovely I lost mom in 2004 she lived just down the road. I nursed her in her later life, she would still make me laugh she was always happy, yet she had been widowed for 35 years. We as a family still recite her phrases. Her brother lived with her for over 30 years. They would fight with words like children, but they went everywhere together. My uncle died in 2000 and after the funeral Mom said to me I shan't miss him you know...........I just had to laugh because you had to know them to understand this comment! Thanks for jolting memories Sparky.

 

[Sakura]

Sparks - I found that so touching, as the tears roll down my cheeks. Many of us I'm sure can recognise ourselves in your verse and others at another point in their lives. As others have said thank you for sharing it with us. Mo

 

[sparks]

I suppose this does come under history, even if it is not local.

Working Regulations in a Burnley Cotton Mill Office 1852

I. This firm has reduced the hours of work, and the clerical staff will
now only have to be present between the hours of 7 a. m. and 6. p. m.
on weekdays.

2. The clerical staff will not disport themselves in raiment of bright
colours, nor will they wear hose unless in good repair.

3. Overshoes and topcoats may not be worn in the office, but neck
scarves and headwear may be worn in inclement weather.

4. A stove is provided for the benefit of the clerical staff. It is
recommended that each member of the clerical staff bring four
pounds of coal each day during the cold weather.

5. No member of the clerical staff may leave the room without
permission from Mr Rogers.

6. The calls of nature are permitted and clerical staff may use the
garden below the second gate.

7. No talking is allowed during business hours.

8. The craving of tobacco, wines or spirits is a human weakness and,
as such, is forbidden the members of the clerical staff.

9. Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced, the
partaking of food is allowed between 11. 30 a. m. and noon, but
work will not on any account cease.

10. The new increased weekly wages are as hereunder detailed:
a. Junior boys up to 11 years 1s. 4p
b. Boys to 14 years 2. Ip.
c. Juniors 4s. 8p.
d. Junior Clerks 8s.7p.
e. Clerks lOs. 9p.
f. Senior Clerks (after 15 years with owner) 21 s.

The owner 'recognizes the generosity of the new labour laws, but will expect a
great rise in output of work to compensate for these near Utopian conditions.

 

[Wendy]

Nice bit of history Sparks thanks for posting it.