
Warning
by Jenny Joseph, written in 1961 when she turned 30
This was first posted in honor of my 60th Birthday on Dec. 24, 2009.
It is now 2021 and I turned 72 on my Christmas Eve birthday and I just realized I've stopped even telling readers that it's my birthday on Christmas Eve 😂
So this is a repost! It's just too hard to even cut/copy/and paste on a cell phone and everything that can go wrong does for me!
So here, my 2009 celebratory post. I cannot even believe now that at I once thought 60 was old! Hahahahaha!!
"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
2009:
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/
A very happy birthday to you , enjoy , enjoy---cottonreel
ReplyDeleteWishing you the Happiest Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Michele! I have discovered that purple is actually a nice color and it does go well with red no matter what anyone says!
ReplyDeleteAnother discovery...with age comes wisdom and it is nice be thought of as wise for a change!
Happy Birthday
ReplyDeletehappy birthday! here's to everything magical...because you are magical...☺
ReplyDeleteAnd the red hat...where is it??
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very Happy Birthday friend. I'm 60 too. Wishing you a wonderful and Merry Christmas too. Hugs
I just knew someone would ask about a red hat..ha ha I figure the hat society is taking care of that for me ;) I do have a red scarf, but I was worried it was a little much with the purple pjs, velvet cape, lace gloves, satin slippers and all those rhinestones and pearls.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I shall wear it when I go out this morning in my cape to feed the chickens. I know Sophie, Matilda, and Penelope will cackle with delight at all of the colors, sparkle, and fun!
And thank you one and all for the birthday wishes!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Michele! That will be my new number in August. I hope you are having a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Michele. Hope you go outside and show the world your wonderful outfit and outlook.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, sweet Michele! How special this birthday is for you.
ReplyDeleteI knew it was coming, I knew it ... and still I neglected to get the card in the mail ... here's to you and all your PURPLE-ness!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Michele!
Happy 60th birthday to you Michele! Yes, wear your purple with pride!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a blessed Christmas!
Hugs, Karen
Have a very very happy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI can not believe you are 60. Maybe 33 or better yet 29. Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl!
ReplyDeleteA very happy birthday to you!
ReplyDeletePurple is a wonderfully royal color and I love what you're wearing today to celebrate this special day in your life. You are a queen and deserve all sorts of special attention. A very happy birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI love that poem - have done for years!
ReplyDeleteBelated happy birthday my dear.
Hugs
xxx
Hee!! Love your clothing description, and your day. Happiest Birthday.
ReplyDeleteAwesome way to spend your birthday. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! And thank you for sharing this poem wit us. I was looking for a copy for a friend who has a birthday coming up. She will love your pajamas on your birthday idea!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, purple! My favorite color!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Michele, and many more purples to you!
Happy Birthday Michelle! I hope your day was wonderful. I am a year older than you and I always thought this age was ancient. But age is just a number. And you are only as old as you feel. My mind tells me I can do anything, but my body says no way I am doing that. But I keep trying. LOL Wishing you the best each and every day. And keep dancing like no one is looking.
ReplyDeletehappiest of birthdays dear Michele ! Time has surely flown by since we last saw each other in person - so glad you continue to share how life is going.
ReplyDeleteI am now retired and loving it- Cher
So nice to hear from you Cher! I try to keep up on Facebook but I don't use the app so fb algorithms are less inclined to promote my posts or even show my friends feeds.
ReplyDeleteJust recently caught that you were retired!
A big adjustment but I'm so glad you have!
Hope you and your family have a great new year ahead and that things ease up for, and on all of us 💜
Happy Belated Birthday Michele! Wow.. a Christmas Eve birthday! I'm a couple of years older and though I've never felt "old" since I was 60, the 70's bring new challenges! My mind still wants to do the things I did in my 40's and 50's! and yet my body says otherwise. I just keep on pushing it, and doing what I probably shouldn't, but "move it or lose it" is my motto! And lately, I haven't been moving enough! Then the stiffness sets in.. so I need to remedy that. I love that purple poem.. I remember when my aunt was in her 70's or 80's, she would go to her purple ladies club and I thought it was so ridiculous! and now I totally understand it. Hope you have a good week and that 2022 is a good year for all of us. hugs.. Marilyn
ReplyDeleteSuch a thoughtful and lovely comment. You are doing so much better than you probably realize after your sudden loss. I am proud of you for your caring and your strength. What a dear, good woman you are. A true spiritual warrior. ❤🕊❤
ReplyDelete