Thursday, January 10, 2008

Getting Old

Recently many of you have spoken about getting old. Well, I saw a favorite book of mine today and Chris wanted me to send you all this poem from it. Now don't not read just because it is a poem. It is great. It is Chris, not me. I am really married to an old woman already. By the way for as long as I can remember, my mother wore puple. I think it was her favorite color. I was not even born until she was well into her forties, you know. Dad Clark

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 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 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.

Jenny Joseph

5 comments:

Mike and Adrianne said...

So does mom wear purple now?

Jess and Jen said...

So, is this poem be the inspiration for the Red Hat Society?

Lokodi said...

I've read that poem before. I think it's hilarious. I love the color purple and I look great in red, not to mention that I LOVE hats. So I actually am really looking forward to this whole "old" thing.

Lindsey

chelsey said...

I think I bought that book for mom after I heard her talking about it.

Papa Doc said...

Yes, that's the book, the poem and the red hat society. You can rest easy until you see me wear a red hat. Then beware -- I don't like purple, but the color looks pretty good on me so get ready!
Mom