October 20th…..a good day to share a favorite poem by Jenny Joseph…
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.
Well…..I guess I am old. Age has crept up behind me and, annoyingly, keeps tapping on my shoulder. Tap away, unwelcome intruder; I’m far from ready to give up the ship and become an AARP member, flash my senior discount card or go out to dinner at some buffet joint, armed with containers or baggies.
Nay, nay….say I…..
Today, I shall wear Purple in support of every single young gay person who has been bullied into ending their life because of their sexuality. I shall wear Purple to support those who struggle in a world that, too often, treats them with ridicule and disgust rather than embracing the human being just trying to survive. I shall wear Purple to spread a message to Stop the Hate!!
So, put on a little Purple, wear it knowing that you may just make some young person feel understood, supported and maybe gain a little strength that will help them when faced with taunting bullies. Maybe, they will remember seeing strangers wearing Purple on this day, and not feel so very alone.
May the purple, and all of the other colors of the rainbow, shine brightly this Wednesday, and every day moving forward.
