When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

[Stanchetalarooni]

Warning - When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

By Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am 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 pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts 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.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Oh dear

I've worn purple most all my life--and we won't talk about the hats!

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. The inspiration for the Red Hat Society

I always smile when I read it.

[rubberducky]

3. I am an old woman and I shall wear PURPLE!!!

Thank you, haven`t seen this in a while!! What a wonderful statement for us women of a certain age!!

[RebelOne]

7. Same here!!

[Horse with no Name]

4. My Grandma had this cross-stitched on her wall

Thanks for the fond remembrance this morning.:)

[Mikey929]

5. Great Sentiment

I've always loved that. The notion of being able to grow into the person we really want to be instead of conforming to the goals set by others.

I certainly know I have to greatly alter my life for the benefit of my kids. Not complaining, but I certainly recognize that once my life is my own again, I will be able to do a lot more things that I restrain myself from now. (Just don't tell my wife. :)

[YOY]

6. and the male counterpart (slightly humorous)

When I am an old man.

When I am an old man, I will wear plaid trousers,
let my shirt tail hang out on one side on Tuesdays,
and wear ties that clash with everything.
I'll carry a cane whether I need it or not,
to waggle at people who ask stupid questions
and poke pretty young girls.
I'll have my ear pierced, the one that says you're gay
(whichever that is)
and grin if someone mentions it.
I won't smile on Thursdays, even if I'm chuckling inside,
I'll never be angry on Sundays,
except in months when the sun doesn't shine.
Maybe I'll shave, and maybe I won't,
depends on which eye I open first in the morning.
I'll spit in public places, but not on people's shoes,
unless they deserve it,
and belch from both ends when the spirit moves me.
I'll eat tacos for breakfast, ice cream with salad,
drink tea with honey, coffee with maple syrup,
and rum with nothing at all.
I'll stare everyone straight in the eye,
give my opinion on everything under the sun,
if I'm asked, and especially if I'm not.
I'll forget how to spell "rules" but not "integrity",
"obligations", but not "responsibility",
"expectations", but not "honor".
I'll speak to God direct, help him out when he needs it,
but gently, cause mainly he does good work,
when people leave him alone, that is.
I'll cry at movies and funerals,
laugh at my own mistakes, if I make any,
hug my sons and my daughters every chance I get,
raise my hat to any woman wearing purple.
I think I'll have more fun
saying what I think,
being who I am,
staring at the stars,
when I am an old man, wearing plaid trouser

[Sydnie]

8. I had never read that before

thanks for sharing that with all of us.

[rog]

9. Start Wearing Purple!

My favorite band: Gogol Bordello
http://www.gogolbordello.com

Start Wearing Purple

video: http://www.gogolbordello.com/chronicles/video/purple/index.html
(requires Quicktime)

Start wearing purple wearing purple
Start wearing purple for me now
All your sanity and wits they will all vanish
I promise, it's just a matter of time...

I know you since you were a twenty, and I was twenty,
but thought that some years from now
a purple little little lady will be perfect
for dirty old and useless clown...

I know it all from Diogenis to Foucault
from Lozgechkin to Paspartu
I ja kljanus obostzav dva paltza
schto muziko poshla ot Zzukov Mu!...

Party!

So Fio-Fio-Fioletta! Etta! Va-va-va-vaja dama ti moja!
Eh podayte nam karetu, votetu, i mi poedem k ebenjam!

So yeah, start wearing purple wearing purple
Start wearing purple for me now
All your sanity and wits, they will all vanish
I promise, it's just a matter of time!

Crazy ... and GREAT!

.rog.