Just A Carer. Poem by Emma Jane Rae

You're JUST a carer,
You said to me,
But you don't get,
To see what we see,
You see a face,
That's old and wise,
We see the truth,
Sometimes covered by lies,
You see the wrinkles,
Etched on the skin,
We see the hero,
That hides within,
You see us,
Just earning our keep,
But you don't see us,
Wipe away their tears
When they silently begin to weep,
You don't see us missing meals,
Just to make sure your loved ones,
Are fed,
Missing time with our families,
Whilst we tuck yours up in bed,
You don't see our late nights,
And even earlier starts,
You don't see us chatting for hours,
And having meaningful,
Heart to hearts,
Takes of war,
And times that have gone by,
Sharing their fears,
Of the time they will die,
You don't see the raise of an eyebrow,
Or the glimmer of a smile,
But if we can brighten their day,
It makes ours worthwhile,
They've given so much,
It's time to give something back,
Whether it's helping to shower,
Or making a snack,
You just see the shell of them,
Sitting in their chair,
Whereas we see what's behind,
The empty vacant Stare,
So when you think,
Someone's given up the ghost,
Just remember,
That they might have lost,
The one they loved the most,
You see their eyes,
Glazed over by death,
But you don't see us breaking down,
When they take their final breath,
See death is the end,
Or so the eyes see,
But have you got what it takes?
To be JUST a carer,
Like me? ! ? ! ?