A crabbed 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'd try." 

Who seems not to notice the things that you do 
And forever is loosing 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 move at your bidding, eat at your will. 

I'm a small child of 10 with a father and mother, 
Brothers and sisters who love one another; 

A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet 
Dreaming that soon a love she'll meet; 

A bride of twenty, my heart gives a leap, 
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep; 

At 25 now I have young of my own 
Who need me to build a secure, happy home. 

Woman of 30, my young now grow fast, 
Bound together with ties that should last. 

At 40, my young sons have grown up and gone. 
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn. 

At 50, once more babies play around 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 rearing young of their own, 
And 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 vigor depart. 
There is a stone where I once had a heart. 

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells, 
And now again my bittered 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, nurse, open and see 
Not a crabbed old women, look closer, see me.