Tuesday 29 December 2009



Tomorrow will be the 30th anniversary of my 21st birthday.

This is quite a SCARY thought as I feel very much younger. I try to tell myself that age is a state of mind but my mirror tells me otherwise.

Today I've been shopping with gorgeous girl and have bought myself a purple vest with lovely lace (only for wearing as a layer you understand) and it put me in mind of this poem...

Warning
By Jenny Joseph


When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am 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 beer nuts 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.
.........................................



Puts me in mind of this lovely film




I'm thinking of getting in a little practice now too! Come to think of it I've been hoarding things in boxes for years, getting fatter and wearing scary clothes (according to my daughter). And I have tins full of pens and pencils and I can't wait to run a stick along some railings!

Love Wend

21 comments:

  1. That's one of my fave poems!
    Hope you have a fab day!
    ;-)

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  2. Go for it! Why not do what you like and at 51 you are a mere whippersnapper to some of us oldies!!

    Jane

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  3. You made me smile!
    Happy 21th birthday Wend! ;-)

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  4. YAY! Happy birthday, mine is next week and I was going to do a similar post! :O))))))))))))

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  5. Thank you so much for your comment on mine - I have just come over to yours to see if you have an e-mail address as if you had I was going to send an e-card for your birthday! Since you don't I'll just say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and I hope you have a lovely day doing the things you most enjoy.

    Jane

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  6. a very very happy birthday to you wend , i like the poem but surely its for a woman in her 80's....OLD is not a word to be bandied about when your only 51....
    when you get to your 80's i think you deserve and are rewarded to be called old....right now you've still a very long way to go before you get there.....

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  7. As someone who will be 40 in a few months time - 51 is very young.

    I love that poem :)

    Have a wonderful birthday.

    Vicki xx

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  8. I bought a purple fleece in the sales! And it will be a miracle if I haven't grown more fat at this time of year.
    Enjoy your birthday, 51 years young!

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  9. HAPPY BIRTHDAY hope you have a lovely day with lots of presents, cards and a cake 51 years young xxx
    (I'll be 53 in a couple of weeks!) Love Lucey xx

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  10. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday tomorrow. Enjoy all your celebrations.

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  11. Yes, happy 21st birthday and love and blessings for 2010
    Carolyn x

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  12. Hey Happy Birthday Hunny!!
    Did you not know that 50's are the new 40's DAHLING!!!! ;~)
    I think you look fab hun!
    I've always had an older head on my shoulders and When I grow older I intend to be one of those eccentrics who wear every Brooch and bit of Jewellery all at once..every day...I try and do it now but dont have the gumption to take it to the next level!!!...something to look forward to later on in life maybe?
    Hope you have a Fantastic day hun x
    Annie xxx

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  13. I enjoy that poem, but I think I'm already there and the big five-o is still a couple of months away. Have a great day tomorrow. Lots of lovely surprises and treats and no sign of policemen demanding petrol money. xx

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  14. I hope that you had a wonderful Birthday :)

    Wishing you a wonderful safe start to 2010 and hope it is a year filled with love and laughter.

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  15. I shall have bright pink lipstick which gives me a cupid's bow pout and wear long, dangly earrings that do not match - but not yet.
    Happy birthday - enjoy.

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  16. Happy (Purpley) Birthday!
    Hope you have a great day.
    Lisa x

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  17. i hope you'll be very bad then for 2010 and henceforth!

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  18. Happy Birthday Wend, love the poem it made me laugh. Hope you have a great day.
    Ann x

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  19. Have a lovely birthday, hun!!! Not far off the years myself, but still a teenager at heart in some ways!!!
    Hope to meet again in 2010!!
    Happy New year : )

    SHARON XX

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  20. Have a lovely birthday.Hope you get really spoilt.You just wonder where the years go don't you...and whatever your age you still feel the same inside.
    Happy New Year...have a great one!

    Bellaboo

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