Tuesday 22 January 2013

Warning, Jenny Joseph.

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 peoples 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 practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

So how many items in the above poem are you practising?!

For some time I have wanted to paint or draw this old woman, so tomorrow I wear purple and buy a red hat.

6 comments:

Mum said...

I've got an awful lot of pens and pencils which I'll never use and there's a box of 1970s beermats in the loft. I'm not adverse to the odd free sample now and again and I hit lamp-posts, railings and litterbins when I pass them. I do go down to the garage in my flip flops even in the snow but I can't spit.
Love from Mum
xx

rusty duck said...

Growing more fat seems to require no practise.

BadPenny said...

Have I left a comment ? this house is in chaos - painter sprained ankle so no development in kitchen Jess off work sick. I keep disappearing to the Charity shop !

I have already informed the staff at the Co-op that I am turning into a " village character " !

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh I loved this, I want to live this poem! To heck with the kids!!! Lets shock em all!!!!

Lynn said...

Dear Land of the Big Sky,
You haven't posted for days.
I miss you.
L.x.

Anonymous said...

oh and I meant to also say what a pretty daughter you have.