Searching for a poem

[naomi24]

Does anyone know a poem written from the perspective of an old lady dying in hospital. I only remember a line that went something like "look at me nurse and what do you see?" The poem went on to say that the nurse wasn't aware of the real person she was tending, and described the frail old lady's true feelings and memories of her youth.

[shaneystar2]

Is this the one ?

[naomi24]

That's it!! Thanks so much Shaney. I've been looking for that for years.

[moonshadow]

I have just read the poem and how terribly sad but so true.

[naomi24]

A friend showed me it years ago and I've never forgotten the gist of it. Quite brilliant isn't it? It should be compulsory reading for everyone. Perhaps then our old people would be better cared for.

[cruella]

Hi naomi24
There is also another poem written in reply to the one you asked about.
It was written by a Nurse in an Edinburgh hospital a few years ago.
It is called "A Nurses Reply".
I have a copy of it on my PC at work.
Will post it when I reurn to work next week.
It too is a very sad poem.

[naomi24]

Thanks cruella - I look forward to reading it.

[cruella]

Hi naomi24,
Here is the poem I mentioned "A Nurses reply"



A Nurses reply - - by Liz Hogben

What do we see, you ask, what do we see?
Yes, we are thinking when looking at thee
We may seem to be hard when we hurry and fuss
But there's many of you and too few of us.

We would like far more time to sit by you and talk
To bath you and feed you and help you to walk
To hear of your lives and the things you have done
Your childhood, your husband, your daughter, your son.

But time is against us, there's too much to do -
Patients too many and nurses too few
We grieve when we see you so sad and alone
With nobody near you, no friends of your own
We feel all your pain, and know of your fear
That nobody cares now your end is so near.

But nurses are people with feelings as well
And when we're together you'll often hear tell
Of the dearest old Gran in the very end bed
And the lovely old Dad and the things that he said
We speak with compassion and love, and feel sad
When we think of your lives and the joy that you've had.

When the time has arrived for you to depart
You leave us behind with an ache in our heart
When you sleep the long sleep, no more worry or care
There are other people, and we must be there
So please understand if we hurry and fuss
There are many of you and too few of us!!

Liz Hogben