Does anyone know who wrote the well-known poem about growing old and wearing purple. Was it Wendy Cope? Where could I find a copy of it?

-- rebecca ikin (rikin@redhouse.co.uk), March 03, 1999

Answers

It always puts a smile on my face =)

-- Nonnie (Nonnie@switchboardmail.com), April 28, 1999.

Jenny Joseph..Love that poem

-- doris west (doris727@worldnet.att.net), April 12, 1999.

it's my favourite poem

-- aurora jay (aurorajay@yahoo.com), April 09, 1999.

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 sandles, 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

-- ilza (ilza@pobox.com), March 03, 1999.