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I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel- Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool. The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart, There is now 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 joy, I remember the pain,
The Crabbit Old Woman. What do you see nurse, what do you see? What are you thinking when you look at me? A crabbit old woman, Not very wise, Uncertain of habit With far away eyes. Who dribbles her food and makes no reply; Then you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try."
The poem is written in the voice of an old woman in a nursing home who is reflecting upon her life. Crabbit is Scots for "bad-tempered" or "grumpy". The poem appeared in the Nursing Mirror in December 1972 without attribution.
A woman of 30, my young now grow fast, Bound to each other with ties that should last; At 40, my young sons have grown and are 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.
Versions of the Cranky Old Man poem, also published as Crabbit Old Woman, Look Closer, Look Closer Nurse, Kate, Open Your Eyes, Too Soon Old, and What Do You See? Includes A Nurse's Reply poem.
Chopsy. crabbit old woman. for my nan (her fave old poem) what do you see nurses, what do you see. what do you see while looking at me. a Crabbit old woman not very wise. uncertain of Habit with fare—away eyes. who dribbles her food and makes no reply. when you say in a stern voice i do wish you’d try. who seems not to notice the things that you do
The AgingME Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) team has modernized the poem, “Crabbit Old Woman.”. This reflective poem is a call to action for each of us to look beyond the surface and truly see the individuals we care for each and every day.
