Grandma - Poetry by Marjorie Rose Millar

What do you see nurses what do you see
What are you thinking when looking at me?
A very old woman and not very nice

Uncertain and scared with far away eyes
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
You shout in a loud voice “I do wish you’d try”

I seem not to notice the things that you do
And always losing a sock or a shoe
I’m not bothered let you do as you will
Bathing and feeding my long days to fill

Is that what you’re thinking, is that what you see
Well open your eyes girl, your not looking at me
I’m a little girl with a mother, father, sisters, and brothers
Who love one another

A young girl of eighteen, the world at her feet
Hoping that soon a lover I’ll meet
A young bride of twenty my heart skips a beat
At twenty five I have babies on my own
That need my love and a happy home

At forty five my babies now have grown
All set and ready to leave us alone

At fifty five once more there’s babies with me
That’s my grandchildren we all love to see

Darker days are here and my husband is dead
My young ones are busy, alone must I tread
I’m an old lady and nature is cruel, everyone thinks I’m just a fool

My body is frail, and dignity departs
There is now a stone where once was a heart
Inside the old lady a young girl still dwells
And now and again my poor old heart swells

I remember the good times and also the pain
And sometimes I’m loving and living again
I think of the years, they went far to fast
And now I know that nothing can last

So open your eyes nurse, Please look and see
Look-look closer You’re looking at me.

By Marjorie Millar