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The Zimmer Frame Races

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This poem was written based on an observation at mum's care home - it is not intended to offend anyone

On the starting grid for the zimmer frame races Ready to put themselves through their paces No cheating girls - don’t go tying shoelaces Or there will be embarrassed red faces Lined up on the starting grid Prize is a cuppa and a quid ON YOUR MARKS.. GET SET GO SLOWWWWWWWWWW But off like rockets charge Ethel and Flo Wheel to wheel at the very first corner Ethel cuts in - she should have warned her Flo gives her a knowing look No cheating Ethel – you’ll get a right hook They cross the line together - I’m glad I didn’t bet Sandwiches, cake and tea is all ready and set Best of friends they sit and enjoy a chatter Who’s first past the winning post – it really doesn’t matter! 16TH April 2015

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Darren White

Date: 10/15/2016 5:15:00 AM

LOL Jan, if I ever manage to walk a few steps, I want such a frame and do a zimmer race!!!

Jan Allison
Date: 10/15/2016 5:20:00 AM

I am sure you will Darren and make sure it is decked in rainbow ribbons!:-)Thanks for taking the time to read this:-) hugs Jan xx

Old Buck

Date: 5/15/2015 6:40:00 PM

Jan: Nicely done. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Walker races is one of those times. I spent about 1 day a week for nearly 7 years at a local center. Lovely place to visit but there often isn't much excitement. These girls are very much like those in every center I expect. Always in a rush, with no place to go. Thank you for bringing some laughter to a sometimes sad topic. Aging. I know of which I speak. :o) OLDbuck

Jan Allison
Date: 5/15/2015 6:48:00 PM

Thanks for the lovely comment Buck - I brought mum over today to do her hair and read her some of my poems including this one - she thought it was hilarious:-) Hugs jan xx

Howard Tunick

Date: 5/7/2015 12:04:00 PM

What hoot Jan. Very clever.

Jan Allison
Date: 5/15/2015 6:47:00 PM

Thanks so much for dropping by Howard:-) hugs Jan xx

James Fraser

Date: 4/18/2015 10:33:00 AM

Bless those souls in the image. Koolio poem for those lovely ladies Jan, hugs//James xx

Jan Allison
Date: 4/18/2015 12:17:00 PM

Yes you notice it is all ladies in the picture - they outweigh the men in mum's care home too! Hugs jan xx

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 4/17/2015 8:03:00 PM

You need a license to drive a walker...hmmm go figure!

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 11:52:00 PM

ha ha ha:-) hugs jan xx

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 4/17/2015 6:40:00 PM

They are adorable Jan. I love this poem.

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 6:47:00 PM

Thanks Armand whilst there is some 'poetic licence' it is based on these 2 ladies in the care home:-) Hugs jan xx

Phyllis Babcock

Date: 4/17/2015 4:29:00 PM

You had me smiling because at the home my girl friend is in. The ladies will all race for the elevator after dinner like they have somewhere to go. So I can relate to this wonderful poem you penned but also you make me laugh --where do these gals really have to run off too. love phyl

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 4:36:00 PM

LOL Phyllis - mum tried to befriend one of the ladies on her corridor - she told her she was too busy ...but this lady simply sits in her room all day and does nothing - its so sad:-( Hugs jan xx

M. L. Kiser

Date: 4/17/2015 10:24:00 AM

That's adorable...I would never have thought of it. Great stuff.

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 1:19:00 PM

I get inspired by so much I see around me ML lol:-) Hugs Jan xx

Anna Hopper

Date: 4/17/2015 9:43:00 AM

Awe, I love this! Clever, cute and heartwarming write! Thanks for sharing!

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 1:18:00 PM

Thanks Anna I do appreciate your comment:-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/17/2015 9:22:00 AM

you are hilarious, Jan, a bright light I am happy to call my good friend. Soupmail for ya.

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 1:18:00 PM

Thanks Andrea - replied:-) Hugs Jan xx

Shane Cooper

Date: 4/17/2015 9:17:00 AM

A great poem again Jan, I spent a lot of time in the nursing home my grandmother was in and I can relate to your tale very well. A seven from me. Love your friend Shane xxx

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 1:17:00 PM

Thanks Shane - I was concerned I may get negative comments again so I put the comment at the top:-) Hugs jan xx

Constance La France

Date: 4/17/2015 7:45:00 AM

Jan, this is absolutely delightful, it had me laughing and I needed a laugh today, because I work in a nursing home, you captured what happens in games and races very well, and in the end does it matter who wins, wonderful 7 and thanks for visiting my poem, Patience

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 7:56:00 AM

Thanks so much for the lovely comment Broken Wings - i was worried some may find it offensive but it was really based on observation with some poetic licence:-) Hugs Jan xx

Shadow Hamilton

Date: 4/17/2015 2:40:00 AM

wonderful humour Jan ty for the chuckles hugs 7

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 3:16:00 AM

Thanks Shadow:-) Hugs Jan xx

Hannington Mumo

Date: 4/17/2015 1:59:00 AM

Well-captured real-life poem/story. 7!

Jan Allison
Date: 4/17/2015 3:15:00 AM

Thanks so much Hannington:-) Hugs Jan xx

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 4/16/2015 9:51:00 PM

As lovely as ever Jan! U always come up wid amazing ideas !! Thnx for ur kind visits to my page!

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 10:05:00 PM

This was inspired by the two ladies I observed in the corridor of the care home - I will be most careful to keep out of their way they move at quite a pace lol! Hugs Jan xx

James Horn

Date: 4/16/2015 8:41:00 PM

Ahhhh woodn't it be loverly. I think I have it. Squaring off with the Zimmer Frame Races. Love it. Jim Horn

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 8:43:00 PM

Thanks Jim:-) Hugs jan x

Tim Smith

Date: 4/16/2015 7:56:00 PM

Lol.,..I think I caught that race late one night on the History Channel.... Haha Tim

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 7:57:00 PM

ha ha ha Tim a cracking comment! Hugs Jan xx

James Peranteau

Date: 4/16/2015 6:25:00 PM

Awesome write dear poet ! Having spent time caring for the geriatric souls when I was young with my mother, God rest her soul, who was an RN, I grew quite fond of the souls I helped care for. TY for the fond memorries Jan ! Have a blessed week.....much love, james

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 6:29:00 PM

Thanks James for the lovely comment:-) hugs Jan xx

Peter Lewis Holmes

Date: 4/16/2015 6:05:00 PM

Lovely write Jan!...and thanks for the comment...Peter

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 6:07:00 PM

Thanks for dropping by Peter:-) Hugs Jan xx

Ilene Bauer

Date: 4/16/2015 5:41:00 PM

this is charming and absolutely delightful, jan! i thoroughy enjoyed it!

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 5:46:00 PM

Thanks Ilene - I have observed these two ladies on numerous occasions whilst there is a little 'poetic licence' in my poem the way they vie to get to the dining room first is very real:-) Hugs Jan xx

Frederic Parker

Date: 4/16/2015 3:56:00 PM

it does the heart good to know their zest for life is still abundant...

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 3:58:00 PM

its was wonderful to see these two ladies vying for position with big smiles on their faces - seems it is quite a regular occurrence I have observed them three times now:-) Hugs jan xx

Sara Kendrick

Date: 4/16/2015 3:47:00 PM

Cute one..I hope that they are able to get up and out..I know that helps to prolong life..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 3:50:00 PM

Mum is one of the few residents who doesn't use a walking aid - My hubby and I were watching these two ladies jockeying for position to get to the dining room and this poem was created as a result:-) Hugs jan xx

Thomas Martin

Date: 4/16/2015 2:22:00 PM

Hi Jan, Enjoyed this one! Does this relate to the TT races?

Jan Allison
Date: 4/16/2015 2:28:00 PM

Not quite lol - I was just observing 2 of the residents going to afternoon tea and vying to get to the dining room first! Last year some group did have invalid carriages doing a lap of the TT course for charity - now that was a spectacle to see! Hugs Jan xx