• Thu. Dec 12th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

Care home poet Frank, 93, spreading smiles

A CARE home poet is making his fellow residents and staff beam with his three-decade old ode to the power of the smile.

93-year-old Frank Wright, who lives at Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, first wrote “A smile” more than 28 years ago.

He was inspired to write the poem after a stay at Leeds General Infirmary, in Leeds, and donated it to the hospital as a thank you for the care he received.

Since moving to Ingleby Care Home, in February 2019, he regularly greets staff and visitors with a line from the poem: “A smile costs nothing.”

Frank’s family decided to print off copies of the full poem to be displayed in the home and he has since requested more so he can give them to other residents.

One verse reads: “A smile creates happiness in the home / Fosters goodwill in business / And is the countersign of friendship / It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discourage, sunshine to the sad / And it is nature’s best antidote for trouble.”

Frank said: “I asked my family to bring the poem in so I could show it to the staff. I’m glad everyone likes it.”

Kirsty Walsh, activities coordinator at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Frank’s fellow residents love the poem just much as the staff do.

“We’re delighted to display it in the home. You can’t help but be cheered up when you read it and walk away with a smile afterwards.”