Warning

by Jenny Joseph

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.

I've been told that I'm supposed to put a bit about me here, but there's not really much too say. I'm a Christian who adores reading, writing and music. My favourite books are Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia but I read anything I can get my hands on - if you have any recomendations I'd be very very greatful!

That's about it; all that remains to be said is thank you to all of you have reviewed and a special thanks to incandescent dreams and An Artists Account who betas all of my stories! (If you ever get a spare moment you should definitely take a look!)

Spritesinger