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"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a hat that 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"

Yes, I have read the poem and have it hanging on my wall. I will wear purple and a red hat, and just might join a local Red Hat Society. For my 60th birthday, my daughter picked me up and told me to wear purple. She had bought me a red straw hat to wear and invited friends and family for a surprise birthday party. She gave me a copy of the poem. I loved it.

It is a perfect example of the way a poem can mean different things to each person who reads it, touching them in ways that connect with their life experience. The opening excerpt from Jenny Joseph's poem tells me about a woman who has struggled all her life to live up to what is expected of her, pinching pennies for her family, possibly wearing second-hand clothes so her children can have better. Or, maybe she had a job where she always had to look presentable, the picture of perfection with matching clothes, shoes and accessories. She couldn't do anything that would set a bad example for her children

Now, she is waiting for a time she no longer has to be responsible for others all the time, be a good example, or dress professionally to keep her job or impress the boss. While she may have to be frugal living on a pension, she can spend it however she chooses, including a bottle of brandy for a nightcap, or a new pair of gloves just because she wants them. She doesn't have to feel guilty buying something for herself like she would have when she was younger and had to take care of her family. She is the only one who will do without other things because she bought new gloves.

The woman in the poem is talking about letting go of all the constraints of an earlier time in life - a time when she couldn't sit when she was tired, when she couldn't do anything silly like ring a bell. It would have been horrendously improper for her to spit for any reason. She even says that for the time being, she will do what is expected and set a good example, keep up with the news and entertain friends. But she plans to start doing a few eccentric things now and then so her behavior as she ages won't shock anyone.

It all makes perfect sense to me. I am the oldest of seven children and the mother of five. I understand being expected to be sensible and responsible and a good example. Many times in my life, I didn't want to be any of those

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