Episode 18 READING POETRY Jenny Joseph reads her poem “Warning" #NaPodPoMo

Day 18 of #NaPodPoMo Paul O'Mahony introduces Jenny Joseph  -  she reads her poem Warning.  Paul reads Jenny’s  poem.Today I learned: IJenny Joseph’s reading performance is magnificent - almost as good as the poem itself.  Read with vivacity.————-WARNING When I am an old woman I shall wear purpleWith a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer glovesAnd satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tiredAnd gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bellsAnd run my stick along the public railingsAnd make up for the sobriety of my youth.I shall go out in my slippers in the rainAnd pick the flowers in other people’s gardensAnd learn to spit.You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fatAnd eat three pounds of sausages at a goOr only bread and pickle for a weekAnd hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.But now we must have clothes that keep us dryAnd pay our rent and not swear in the streetAnd 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.Listen to the full series at https://napodpomo.org/napodpomo-2025-mega-feed/ Follow me on Spotify, Audioboom, and Apple Podcasts