Warning
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 the 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.
by Jenny Joseph, written in 1961 when she turned 30
My name is Michele. I turned 60 today. I am wearing a purple velvet cape, purple sun, moon, and stars pajamas with a pearl necklace and earrings, purple satin slippers with lovely sewn-on roses, a purple satin circlet with gold and rhinestones in my hair, lace gloves, and carrying a parasol. I am drinking tea from fine china with stars on both the tea cup and the saucer......and every where I go, and every thing I do, will be magical, today.
It is my birthday and I am wearing purple.
12/24/2009
about the poem:
Warning, When I Am An Old WomanVisit her web site to learn about the popular poem, "Warning, When I Am An Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple" and to find out about Jenny Joseph.www.wheniamanoldwoman.com/
