Purple Poetry

Australian Red Hatters

The Red Hat Society, which started in America, has spread to other countries. It is certainly a strong movement in Australia, where groups of gaudily-clad ladies 'making whoopee' are frequently seen.

 The colour Purple is as essential as the red hat, so it slips into this week's category.

For those of you not familiar with the concept, I have included a copy of the original poem.

PURPLE POETRY!

I'm sure the 'Red and Purple' verse is known by everyone

And many have responded to it's sense of frisky fun.

We see them in Australia, in their hats and feather boas,

All keen to show the world that though they're elderly, they're goers.

I envy Jenny Joseph for her words began the movement

Which, to the lives of many, seem to bring about improvement.

*

I'd love to write a poem that would spread throughout the earth,

Giving rise to fun and friendship and hilarity and mirth!

I'd love to feel that sense of power which gives ones life a meaning,

And feel, through me, all Womankind was prettying and preening!

If I were Jenny Joseph I would feel as proud as Punch

When I saw the hoards of dizzy dames all sitting down to lunch!

Her sentiments are such that every lady of my age

Becomes desirous of a final fling upon life's stage.

I thought of joining-in myself but I thought some more and then

I realised I really like the company of MEN!

*

The Original 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 the flowers in other peoples' 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 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 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.

Another important hat here:

http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/2008/12/231-stationmaster.html