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Friday 29 August 2014

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple….


Wow posting two days in a row!  I was going to do just the Frida Kahlo post for PPF, as I didn't think I would be able to get any painting done today.  But as you see I did even if it is still wet!.  I really wanted to finish it as I think it would be great for Connie’s  Mix It Monthly which ends in a couple of days.


Last week while reading one of my favourite blogs that had a post on aging, one of the comments referred to this poem so I googled it.  It is a poem by Jenny Joseph from “Warning”. Written in 1961.  It really, really appeals to me.  However, I promise not to spit!

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.

What will you do when you are old that you could start doing now?
I think I will wear orange and pink with stripes and dots, and fall asleep while boring people are talking!


Have a wonderful creative week and I hope to visit you all during the weekend.

and

18 comments:

  1. Great painting and I love the poem, too. Valerie

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  2. I've always liked that poem, and your painting is wonderful!

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  3. I too have LOVED this poem forever and I wear purple and have a purple leather purse...and my friends all wear purple and shirts with the word noodle on it and bling...and we laugh and act young and you'd fit right in! We all love this poem and are becoming this!!
    Great artwork...glad you posted twice... I have missed all your yummy artwork!

    Hugs Giggles

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  4. Super illustration of that great poem. Orange and pink with stripes and dots sounds like a great outfit, in fact I wore that just the other day! and as for falling asleep when boring people are talking.......

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  5. haha, perfect painting to go with that poem!

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  6. I am so in love with your style of painting and beautiful bright colours. Happy PPF!

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  7. Seriously love this painting...
    I remember giving this poem to my mother years ago. It practically set her free!

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  8. Love that open and great painting to go with it.

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  9. This is wonderful and I do like the poem
    Nicole/Beadright

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  10. fantastic illustration-love the poem too!

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  11. wonderful poem and a lovely piece to go with it!

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  12. The purple lady is truly amazing. Yes, I read this the year I retired and thought it was absolutely perfect for me and my future! Blessings, Janet PPF

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  13. You made me smile this morning, Sharon. I like this poem a lot but your painting is delicious!

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  14. This really is such fun and fabulous art, wow! I love her, full of great character and that poem about getting old is wonderful, so important to lighten up and have lots of fun!

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  15. Great and fun painting and I think you should really learn how to spit! :)

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  16. I have become a bright color lady - no more dark colors for me (unless as contrast!). Wonderful poem and I love the painting - it so goes with the poem - whimsical and colorful!

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  17. Love the bold strokes and colors in your painting - and I love the poem, too!

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  18. Awesome poem! Love it! And of course, love the purple dress too! Super post :)

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