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Sparks

sparks

sparks

knowlegable brummie
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.
 
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
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
A few words I wrote to my daughter following the sudden death of our 21 year old grandson

A Sorrow Shared
​

If I could take away your sadness and add it to mine, I would.

If I could take away your tears and add them to mine, I would.

If I could help you cope with the past and look to the future, I would

But sadly, none of these things can I do.

All the healing has to come from within you.

But if you can find a way to see your future clear.

Then maybe I may never need to shed another tear.

Maybe the daughter I used to know will come back to me.

We will see.

Love Dad
 
Sorry for your family's loss. I hope that sharing will help ease the pain a little.
Beautiful words you wrote to your daughter.

Ann
 
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View attachment 26159
You were here and gone so quickly,
For a moment in time, so happy and free,
Like a barnacle, in our heart, forever will stick,
You may be gone, but forgotten, that will never be!.​
 
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That is very nice Beryl. :)

I didn't know attachments need to be approved. :rolleyes: I will have to come back and look at it later. :)Mo

Sparks, I'm so sorry for your loss and I hope in time your daughter will return to her old self. Mo
 
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heart felt sorrow and prayers, i only knew my grand daughter for 9 weeks sudden death syndrome it does get easier, however they will always be missed x

annie
 
Thank you all for your kind comments. Many people may not realise that grandparents often suffer a double loss. Not only their grandchild, but their happy and carefree son or daughter.
 
I am so sorry to hear about your terrible loss. You seem like a close family and I am sure this will help you all through this awful time. My heart goes out to you all.
 
sparks..i too would like to add my deepest sympathy to you and all your family at this very sad time.....

astoness
 
Sparks, I am so sorry to hear of your family's very sad and terrible loss. I am sure your daughter found comfort in your beautiful words.

Judy
 
Sparks, my thoughts are with you and your daughter. I am sure that her loss has been comforted by your sincere and beautiful words. Mabz
 
So sorry to hear your sad news. I am sure your words will be a comfort for your daughter in time. It must be so hard for you. My friend lost her only son 10 years ago very suddenly and has said the pain doesn't go away, but somehow you cope with the loss. My thoughts are with you all.
Rustie
 
When You feel Lonely
When a person you love passes away
Look to the night sky on a clear day.
The star that to you, appears to be bright,
Will be your loved one,
Looking upon you during the night.
The lights of heaven are what shows through
As your loved one watches all that you do.
When you feel lonely for the one that you love,
Look to the Heavens in the night sky above.

for
 
Thinking of you. I too know how you feel .A tragedy like this affects the whole family and is very hard to deal with.
 
Sparks, may I too send my condolences to your family. The poem is very special and written from the heart. I hope that your daughter will understand
your great loss on both counts very soon. Thoughts and prayers go out to you at this very sad time.
 
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