When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat which 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 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...

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