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When I am an old woman… I shall wear purple

Jenny Joseph’s iconic poem ‘Warning’ was identified as the UK’s ‘most popular post-war poem’ in a 1996 poll by the BBC. Due to its popularity, an illustrated gift edition of ‘Warning’ has now been reprinted 41 times!

This wonderful poem made my mum laugh and still makes me laugh!

‘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 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.

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Westmont Aged Care Services Ltd is dedicated to providing aged, community care and lifestyle options to the people of our region with respect, dignity and choice.

Our philosophy is ‘Caring for All by All’. Continuous improvement is a driving force at Westmont as we welcome and encourage feedback from all our stakeholders.

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Head Office
265 Baranduda Boulevard, Baranduda VIC 3691

Located on the border of Victoria and New South Wales.
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Relatives and friends may visit the Homestead at any reasonable hour. All visitors are requested to sign in and out. It is encouraged that you call prior to visiting to ensure visiting hours have not been changed.