It's my birthday today, this is a selfie and I'm wearing purple!
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 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.
Poem by Jenny Joseph
Three good things?!
Living to see in being 61
A lovely morning strolling with my cousin and her partner after a great Burns' Night with them.
Gift of time with My Girls, at Easter, on a gin distillery tour. Exciting photography opportunity to plan for.
Happy birthday to you Such a great poem. I hadn't seen all the words before but as I really love (and wear) purple I must be already old. Its a shame I do not like red!
LOL - Soooooo good!I love your photo and really, really love your poem!! Have a fabulous birthday and feel free to start living that poem!! (Maybe just not the spitting?) :) XX
Delighted to see this poem again on 365. Am preparing to rev up for my 69th birthday in April. Last one before I set out to be a lost cause...fulfilled by all I never realised I wanted to do /achieve.
Hope you have a great day.
Thank you all for your birthday wishes and kind words on my selfie and my choice of poetry.