Worried And A Change Is As Good As A Rest

[nedd]

Worried.

That I wont have paid in enough contributions to draw me O.A.P.

worried that I wont have the energy to kick up some dust.

For I am ageing at an alarm rate of late.

And I don't want to miss out on an important stage in age of man.

And this is just the inspiration I need in creating another me for a bit.

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 sandals,

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 pickle for a week,

And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats

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 will have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise 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

[teadrinker]

I remember learning this poem at school! I know lots of people in their 70s & 80s who aren't ready to sit in their bath chairs yet (if ever), one of whom gained a certificate in scafolding construction last year, and today beat his grandchildren at bowling (dad - you're meant to let them win!) Some of them are fit and well, some of them are not, but they all have a zest for living life as best they can and for making the best of it. You can't go far wrong with that mindset.

[Hidden]

Made me smile jenny its my 84yr old mum to a tee!

[superannie]

Thanks for that, made me smile too. I plan to see out my later years just like that! Ann

[nedd]

I have always wanted to press an alarm bell. Do any of you have a yen to break a forbidden rule before the dying if the light.

I am looking for something playful here guys. Not deep and disturbing.

It is the gift of the zest for life that's the trick your right. And the ability to make the best of it. Just of late all my energy has gone into remaining upright. A bit of fun and frolic is the order of the day.

I am missing work and the wonderful take the children have on life. I think.

Just before I fell off the perch so to speak on Good Friday.

The boys and I were leaping about singing our heads off and playing their favourite game of the day. Air Guitars. Along to utube.

May we all be blessed with a bit of zest and the energy to fizz.

[Calceolaria in reply to nedd]

Not so much a forbidden rule but I would like to be in love again. It would have to be platonic though!

[lyndyloo2]

I do love this poem too!

Must buy a red hat