When I was a kid my favourite place was the humongous book stores we used to have in the U.S. Or used book stores...any book stores would do really...I remember reading this poem as a kid and thought it was "the balls" (although that was probably not the correct term back then...It was something much more 80's inspired like bitch'n) and realized as the roughly good kid that I was that I was probably saving my better randomness for my older age. This was the poem I think was tapping me on the shoulder saying....hey guess what...you are getting a bit older now (the big 40 countdown has started)....now is the time to start the fun!!!!.
Warning
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.
Jenny Joseph
