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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
Read poems about / on: purple, money, people, warning, woman, summer, children, rain, red, shopping, child, women, running, flower, friend
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Click here to write your comments about this poem (Warning by Jenny Joseph)
Barbara Stevens (5/9/2008 12:51:00 AM)
I am a dementia nurse mostly working with people afflicted with Alzheimers. I use this poem alot with family members when their loved one has a behavior that may embarass them. I think it shows them that their loved one has lived a long life, and, regardless, of Alzheimers, deserve a little leeway. It seems tgo allow the family members to let go, loosen up and love this person as they are. |
Barbie Newby (4/30/2008 4:39:00 AM)
The whole point of this poem is to give yourself permission to live like this when you ARE young and not wait until you're old 'cause its too late then! ! ! ! enjoy life as you want it to be, dont live to others expectations, yes be kind and helpfull and dont hurt others... find your own equivalent to a red hat and purple dress, do not be afraid of who you are. |
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