Book Focus - One Hundred Favourite Poems

One Hundred Favourite Poems is a collection of poems voted for by Classic FM listeners as their favourites - it's not like you couldn't guess that though.

I picked this up in a local charity shop a few months ago and I absolutely love flicking though it. 

Today I want to share with you my favourite poem contained inside, which is ranked third.

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 the 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 eat bread 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.

Do you enjoy poetry? Do you have a favourite poem?

Let me know below!