This is a poem, from a book of the same title: (And, of course, one of MY favorites!)
Note: The original poem written by Jenny Joseph,1961, entitled Warning
Note: The original poem written by Jenny Joseph,1961, entitled Warning
WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE.
by Sandra Martz (Editor), Jenny Joseph (forward by)
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.
And 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.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But meanwhile we must stay respectable
And must not shame the children; they mind more,
Even than we do, being noticeable.
We will keep dry with sensible clothes and spend
According to good value, and do what's best
To bring the best for us and for our children.
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. 
