DEBBS COLLECTION OF POETRY



"LOOK CLOSER-SEE ME!"


Written by an anonymous woman to the nurses who cared for her, this peom reminds us of the imporrtance of recognizing the feelings, the frustration, and the reflections of those who can no longer care for themselves.

Who do you see, nurse, who do you see? Are you thinking when when you look at me- A crabbed old woman, not very wise, Uncertain of habit with far away eyes. Who dribbles her food and makes no reply, Whenyou say in a loud a stocking or shoes, 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'r not looking at me...

I'll tell you who, I'am as I sit here so still... As I move at you bidding, 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 love she'll meet; A bride 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 woman of thirty, my young now grow fast, Bound together with ties that should last... At forty, my young sonshave grown up and gone, But my man's 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 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 bitterd 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 woman...Look Closer-see me!

Author..........................Unknown

During the dark days following the deathof her husband, Helen Steiner Wice was able to formulate the following very personal, Ten Commandments for the living...Resolutions that helped her defeat self-pity and focus instead of helping others...

A PERSONAL TEN COMMANDMENTS


1. Thou shalt be happy,
2. Thou shalt use thy talent to make others glad.
3. Thou shalt rise above defeat and trouble...
4. Thou shalt look upon each day as a new day.
5. Thou shalt always do thy best and leave the rest to God...
6. Thou shalt not waste, thy time and energy in useless worry,
7. Thou shalt look only on the bright side of life.
8. Thou shalt not be afraid of tomorow,
9. Thou shalt have a kind word and a kind deed for everyone.
10.Thou shalt say every morning-I'am a child of God and nothing can hurt me...

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