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:
