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 the flowers in other people's gardens and learn to spit.

I can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat and eat three pounds of sausages at a go or only bread and a pickle for a week

I'll be able to hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes.

But now I must have clothes that keep me dry and pay my rent and not swear in the street and set a good example for the children.

I will 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 !

~ Written by Jenny Joseph ~