Credit is given at the end, probably not properly done but what do I know of such things! (not much)
WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN
I shall wear purple~
With a red hat that doesnt go, and doesnt suit me,
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals and say weve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when Im 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 do 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 will 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.
From Warning by Jenny Joseph
WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN
I shall wear purple~
With a red hat that doesnt go, and doesnt suit me,
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals and say weve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when Im 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 do 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 will 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.
From Warning by Jenny Joseph
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