Scanning the newspaper yesterday, I came across the obituary of Jenny Joseph who died last week and who wrote that poem, WARNING - you know the one:
"When I am an old woman
I shall wear purple
with a red hat
which doesn't go...."
I decided to make today's post a homage to her, even though she apparently was not impressed by the Red Hat Society appropriating her ideas.
My red hat had gone walkabout but we found another for £1.99 in the Oxfam Shop in Winchester, so Ray got the task of composing today's shot in the cathedral precinct.
Warning - Poem by 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 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."
Funny thing is I've been wearing purple ALL my life!
That is a fabulous portrait of you Hazel! Loving the red and purple and the soft background of the catherdral too, a great setting for your tribute to the poet
Fabulous photo and thanks for the story. I wear quite a lot of purple too....and lots of people comment on how it suits me but I don't feel old yet!!! Just keep smiling I say!
I have a very dear friend who, although now housebound, loves being a part of the Red Hat society. However, like you, wearing purple was nothing new! Great portrait Hazel!
I love the portrait and although I have seen the poem before it made me smile this morning. I'm not a wearer of purple (but only because it doesn't suit my colouring), but I so agree with the sentiment!
Ray did a great job, it's a lovely portrait. I knew of the poem but I've never read it all. My view is, life is for living, so enjoy it while you can and do things that make you happy :)
Fabulous portrait Hazel, Ray has done you proud. May you wear lots more red and purple it really suits you. We see a lot of the Red Hat Society people here in the bay
Hey, what observation - called office glasses, I think - more useful for reading.
Thanks a lot for sharing this poem.
Great illustration Hazel.
I didn't know this poem nor the author: it's spot on. Gone, questing more. Thank you.