Her feet were always swollen now.
The shoes unsuitable for the weather.
But the only pair she owned that she could get on.
No money for new ones, after paying for her shopping.
The smooth soles couldn’t cope with the ice.
Over she went, the ankle breaking with a crunching sound.
beetleypete 
Makes “walking the old lady across the street,” all the more meaningful. C
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Old ladies with little money are usually very proud. But icy weather drops them like flies, sadly.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Very sad thoughts, but for sure reality, every day. ;-( There shouldn’t be any homeless people. In my opinion, this for a number of years only serves to suppress the dependent and precariously working masses. Best wishes, Michael
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It is still quite bad in big cities, but she wasn’t homeless, just old and poor.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Not really better, i think. Here in the rurality we also have a lot of homeless persons, because here they would be like in the big cities. xx
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How sad. Makes me shudder to think of someone I know had to deal with this…..chuq
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There were many very old people in London who seemed to struggle to get by, chuq.
It’s the opposite in Beetley. They have nice houses, and brand new cars.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We have a few homeless around….the poor unfortunately are mostly black…..their city services are getting better but still suck….chuq
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I could perfectly see those swollen feet as I thought back about women I knew once. Touching portrayal.
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Thanks, Elizabeth. Happy to hear that.
Best wishes, Pete.
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My reaction is outrage that neglect puts these older ladies in danger. Warmest regards, Theo
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Yes, they need much bigger pensions, and help with getting their shopping.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Both bigger pensions and stipends for shoes might cost less than the National Health Service to tend to them after they fall. Warmest regards, Theo
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Limerick #190. Cankles were the culprit…
The cankylosaurus regrettably linked
His over-sized ankles to going extinct.
He barely could run,
So his kind was done!
He shuddered in fear when the carnivores winked!
© 2016 David E. Miller
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Nice ankle limerick, David. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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The poor woman.😔
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Icy pavements and old people don’t mix well, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I always tell my husband to walk like a duck on ice. So far it has worked.
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Good to hear that, Lara.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Ice and snow is known as Colles’ weather. Not good.
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Yes, we used to get what we called ‘the full set’ sometimes. Head injury, both wrists, and one ankle. Very difficult for the patient in recovery later.
Best wishes, Pete.
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No money for shoes…how must it be to live like that…I have seen kids here who were bare feet in mid of winter. I try to help when I can but it is never enough…
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I am sure it is much worse in some parts of India, Shaily. But it is not unknown here, especially in big cities.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sad, how so many of us (including me) have so much while so many others can’t fulfil basic needs
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I totally agree, sometimes those very thoughts keep me up at night, it seems so overwhelming, C
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Yes, not good but happens all too often….
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Icy mornings are a nightmare for ambulance crews. Non-stop falls, with head injuries, as well as wrist and ankle fractures.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, head injuries especially with backwards falls….
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ouch!
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Very old ladies and icy pavements are a bad combination.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, seen plenty in my time.
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