1 September 2010

Why Wait?


When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph

xxx

6 comments:

  1. I already wear purple. But I don't spit in the street lol.

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  2. Unless dementia sets in, you'll nae be finding me in purple!!
    Loving those tights though.
    x

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  3. This really made me smiile, thank you!

    B xxx

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  4. One of my favourite poems.I've already made a good start with the hoarding and the purple!

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  5. Love it! I already have in mind the sort of zimmer frame I want - a bright one with flashing fairy lights and a loud hooter on it :-) You might as well have fun when you are old and can get away with it :-)

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  6. I so love this poem. I remember it being read to us at school and I felt an affinity even then, lol, more so now, love wearing purple and just being me :) Thanks for sharing it

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Anyone ever told you that you're a peach? xx

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