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Warning: When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple
Voted Britain's favourite poem in 1996, 'Warning', written in 1961, is known and loved the world over. Its declaration of defiance, so vividly and cleverly expressed, appeals to the rebel in all of us as we secretly yearn to throw off the shackles of propriety and enjoy the gleeful freedom of cocking a snook at the rest of the world.
In the poem's respectable middle-aged woman, as she indulges in her fantasy of the gabby old crone with her outrageous clothes and dotty behaviour, Jenny Joseph has created a character whose thoughts have been quoted at conferences and funerals, used to cheer up sick friends, remembered with pleasure by children and adults alike. Found in schoolbooks from Alaska to Singapore, the poem has been stitched, stamped, quilted, set to music, printed on cards, written on cakes and made into films.
Now, for the first time, 'Warning' appears as an illustrated book with drawings by Pythia Ashton-Jewell specially designed to suit its unique character.
In the poem's respectable middle-aged woman, as she indulges in her fantasy of the gabby old crone with her outrageous clothes and dotty behaviour, Jenny Joseph has created a character whose thoughts have been quoted at conferences and funerals, used to cheer up sick friends, remembered with pleasure by children and adults alike. Found in schoolbooks from Alaska to Singapore, the poem has been stitched, stamped, quilted, set to music, printed on cards, written on cakes and made into films.
Now, for the first time, 'Warning' appears as an illustrated book with drawings by Pythia Ashton-Jewell specially designed to suit its unique character.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1995
17 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Joseph
34 books30 followersShe was born in Birmingham, and with a scholarship, studied English literature at St Hilda's College, Oxford (1950). Her poems were first published when she was at university in the early 1950s. She became a journalist and worked for the Bedfordshire Times, the Oxford Mail and Drum Publications (Johannesburg, South Africa).
Joseph's best known poem, Warning, was written in 1961 and is included in her 1974 collection Rose In the Afternoon and The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse. Warning was identified as the UK's "most popular post-war poem" in a 1996 poll by the BBC. The second line was the inspiration for the Red Hat Society. Her first book of poems, The Unlooked-for Season won a Gregory Award in 1960 and she won a Cholmondeley Award for her second collection, Rose in the Afternoon in 1974.
Joseph's best known poem, Warning, was written in 1961 and is included in her 1974 collection Rose In the Afternoon and The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse. Warning was identified as the UK's "most popular post-war poem" in a 1996 poll by the BBC. The second line was the inspiration for the Red Hat Society. Her first book of poems, The Unlooked-for Season won a Gregory Award in 1960 and she won a Cholmondeley Award for her second collection, Rose in the Afternoon in 1974.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
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January 19, 2018Quando sarò vecchia mi vestirò di viola
con un cappello rosso che non si intona e non mi dona.
E spenderò la mia pensione in brandy e guanti estivi
E in sandali di raso, e poi dirò che non abbiamo soldi per il burro.
Mi siederò sul marciapiede quando sarò stanca
E arrafferò assaggi di cibo nei negozi, suonerò tutti i campanelli
Farò scorrere il mio bastone sulle ringhiere
E mi rifarò della sobrietà della mia giovinezza.
Uscirò in pantofole sotto la pioggia
E raccoglierò fiori nei giardini degli altri
E imparerò a sputare.
Si potrà indossare orribili magliette ed ingrassare mangiare tre chili di salsicce in una volta
o solo pane e sottaceti per una settimana
ammassare penne, matite, sottobicchieri e cianfrusaglie nelle scatole.
Purtroppo ora ci tocca avere vestiti che ci tengono asciutte
e pagare l’affitto e non imprecare per strada
e dare il buon esempio per i figli.
Avere amici a cena e leggere i giornali.
Ma non posso impratichirmi già un po’ ora?
Così chi mi conosce non rimarrà scioccato
quando improvvisamente invecchierò, e vestirò di viola.
con un cappello rosso che non si intona e non mi dona.
E spenderò la mia pensione in brandy e guanti estivi
E in sandali di raso, e poi dirò che non abbiamo soldi per il burro.
Mi siederò sul marciapiede quando sarò stanca
E arrafferò assaggi di cibo nei negozi, suonerò tutti i campanelli
Farò scorrere il mio bastone sulle ringhiere
E mi rifarò della sobrietà della mia giovinezza.
Uscirò in pantofole sotto la pioggia
E raccoglierò fiori nei giardini degli altri
E imparerò a sputare.
Si potrà indossare orribili magliette ed ingrassare mangiare tre chili di salsicce in una volta
o solo pane e sottaceti per una settimana
ammassare penne, matite, sottobicchieri e cianfrusaglie nelle scatole.
Purtroppo ora ci tocca avere vestiti che ci tengono asciutte
e pagare l’affitto e non imprecare per strada
e dare il buon esempio per i figli.
Avere amici a cena e leggere i giornali.
Ma non posso impratichirmi già un po’ ora?
Così chi mi conosce non rimarrà scioccato
quando improvvisamente invecchierò, e vestirò di viola.
January 6, 2021
Of course I’ve read the poem before, but this little book was a gift from my grandson, Jon and wife, granddaughter, Vicky with the inscription “Sisters are forever.” This refers to a time when my sister and I had purple shirts with the book’s title on them. The poem spoke to me because, in many ways I have led a cautious life. I think, now that I am old, I am a little more daring.
March 1, 2017
Oh what a delight! I loved the unconventional nature portrayed; as a nonconformist I found the poem extremely charming and inspiring with its central message, 'Just be who you are regardless. Dare to be different'.
January 26, 2018
Warning by Jenny Joseph - Excellent
Hardly a book. This is an illustrated version of this famous poem that I keep on my shelves and re-read when the mood takes me. Had to read it in tribute the day Jenny Joseph passed away. This poem has always been my inspiration to grow old disgracefully.
Hardly a book. This is an illustrated version of this famous poem that I keep on my shelves and re-read when the mood takes me. Had to read it in tribute the day Jenny Joseph passed away. This poem has always been my inspiration to grow old disgracefully.
September 6, 2017
Not my first time reading this; have loved it for years. Agree with it wholeheartedly, apart from the brandy; I prefer gin. :-)
November 15, 2012
One of the things that I am looking forward to when I get older is being able to embarrass my children and not have them chastise me for it, rather shrug their shoulders and put it down my age. Just think I will not have to worry if I'm hip or trendy(not that I am now), whether or not my shirt matches my trousers, I'll even be able to shop in M & S,assuming the pension will stretch to it, without looking out of place.I won't have to be politically correct when out in public running anyone who happens to be in my way in my souped up mobility scooter no matter what their age,gender or colour. In fact I won't have to impress anyone and be able to regress to my childhood. In fact it will be even better because my own parents will not be about to tell me off. Well there has to be something to look forward to as body parts start to give up the ghost.
This little book based on this lovely poem hints of things to come and should bring a smile to everyones lips no matter their age. Personally I would have liked to have seen another poem or two along the same lines and the illustrations were rather drab, on the plus side it is small enough to fit in a pocket and cheer up any drab commute. A little gem.
This little book based on this lovely poem hints of things to come and should bring a smile to everyones lips no matter their age. Personally I would have liked to have seen another poem or two along the same lines and the illustrations were rather drab, on the plus side it is small enough to fit in a pocket and cheer up any drab commute. A little gem.
November 27, 2012
A fun little book that suits me just fine.
February 6, 2022
Absolutely love this! Something to live up to - I'd better start practising :o)
Read
July 6, 2024“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.”
How silly. Cute.
So people who know me
are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old
and start to wear purple.”
How silly. Cute.
Read
June 16, 2024read to me by my lovely sister with an annoying British accent
January 6, 2025
I've stumbled across this poem twice now, but next time, I shall seek it out and invite it to tea.
December 29, 2023
Love this poem - it really suited my mood today. I am making this my 2023 poetry read. Must find some good ones to read next year as well!
May 13, 2025
Really sweet, a little gut wrenching and infinitely heartfelt.
This was a quick, but memorable read. I found my self pondering the use of seasons and weather in each of these poems. A warmth to symbolize the peace of old age. A way of feeling present. While wind and coldness symbolizes old struggles and deteriorating bones.
I started this book because I heard the first poem countless times “when I’m old I shall wear purple” and rightfully so. It is simply so creative and so well written I eat it up every time.
This was a quick, but memorable read. I found my self pondering the use of seasons and weather in each of these poems. A warmth to symbolize the peace of old age. A way of feeling present. While wind and coldness symbolizes old struggles and deteriorating bones.
I started this book because I heard the first poem countless times “when I’m old I shall wear purple” and rightfully so. It is simply so creative and so well written I eat it up every time.
July 5, 2023
Read this in the shop today for free instead of paying $2 to read later.
July 25, 2025
Delightful poetry. I feel guilty counting this as a book read, but it is in book form, with a lovely hardcover. 😆
September 17, 2023
Around twenty years ago, before I found my first grey hair, I was at a wake when I started chatting to another attendee, with my opening line being 'Your hair is amazing' because she had a full head of bright purple hair.
She proceeded to tell me about a poem that she had read which went something along the lines of 'when I am old I shall wear purple' , which had inspired her to go all out and dye her hair. She smiled slowly at me and told me that underneath the purple she was completely grey.
I went home and announced to my rather baffled other half that, once I started to go grey, I wouldn't give in to it but would go bold, deciding on green rather than purple.
Of course, now that I am still in that transition phase - no-one ever tells you that it can take decades for your head of hair to change from English mouse to grey, and I'm STILL not there yet - I have completely changed my mind (a woman's perogative) and have decided to go gracefully, although the timescale challenges that face of grace.
And then, staying in someone else's house, where they had thoughtfully stacked the bookshelves in our bedroom, I found this little copy of the very poem that my funeral tea companion had been talking about all those years ago.
Surprisingly, it was written in 1961, when I was barely just begun, but it has certainly endured and still feels bold and outspoken; and I can emphasise with many of the things that the speaker vows to do as she grows old.
Rather an indulgence, to have an entire book (albeit small) for just one poem, but it would make a lovely gift for a female friend with an optimistic outlook or even someone not fully embracing those middle and older years.
She proceeded to tell me about a poem that she had read which went something along the lines of 'when I am old I shall wear purple' , which had inspired her to go all out and dye her hair. She smiled slowly at me and told me that underneath the purple she was completely grey.
I went home and announced to my rather baffled other half that, once I started to go grey, I wouldn't give in to it but would go bold, deciding on green rather than purple.
Of course, now that I am still in that transition phase - no-one ever tells you that it can take decades for your head of hair to change from English mouse to grey, and I'm STILL not there yet - I have completely changed my mind (a woman's perogative) and have decided to go gracefully, although the timescale challenges that face of grace.
And then, staying in someone else's house, where they had thoughtfully stacked the bookshelves in our bedroom, I found this little copy of the very poem that my funeral tea companion had been talking about all those years ago.
Surprisingly, it was written in 1961, when I was barely just begun, but it has certainly endured and still feels bold and outspoken; and I can emphasise with many of the things that the speaker vows to do as she grows old.
Rather an indulgence, to have an entire book (albeit small) for just one poem, but it would make a lovely gift for a female friend with an optimistic outlook or even someone not fully embracing those middle and older years.
April 5, 2014
Quirky , Heartwarmingly truthful , and striking a subtly beautiful feminist chord , I totally adore this poem !!!!
February 28, 2021
A book to live by when I get old.
November 7, 2021
I shall too
February 22, 2022
I love this poem. This version of it gives it the fun and beauty it deserves
August 27, 2023
Such a sweet poem very well written and captures a bit of the eccentric spirit within us all.
February 9, 2024
I’m so glad I picked this up. This made me smile giggle and laugh out loud! Definitely a little silver lining to any day.
August 21, 2021
Jenny Joseph died in 2018, having reached a ripe old age of 85. At some point between having written this poem and dying, she recorded a verbal rendition, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cACb.... It is unnecessary for enjoyment of the poem, but it is a pretty good way of experiencing it; in particular, her mannerisms and emphasis are illuminating.
Warning is a poem mostly about non-conformism and age, with the final stanza intersecting these themes. For the latter theme, we see that being young seems to require adherence to numerous social mores (like having friends over, not swearing in the streets, etc., etc.), but that being old gives one something of a blank check in being an annoyance, terrible, or simply unconventional. For the former theme, we see our narrator proclaiming her desire to do these variously unconventional, terrible, or annoying things. These themes come together in the end when our narrator asks: "But maybe I ought to practice a little now?" In this, she implies that maybe acting old is something she can should do now, if only to ironically create a new social fabric that warns those around her of the potentiality of eventually going off the deep end. I cannot say I am overly enthusiastic about the message, or seeming message, of the poem, for I do not think it is right simply to throw off all boundaries or rules, especially in regard to some things which she mentions within the poem (like picking others people's flowers or puling alarms willy-nilly, in what I presume to be public places). My skepticism of the main idea behind the work is what makes it 4 stars for me, if not 3--indeed, if valued for theme alone, the poem isn't altogether great (by which I mean the poem could have conceivably been considered worthy of only a single star). I did like the imagery, though, and, in especial, the first lines, which read:
It immediately evokes the themes of the work whilst giving it a tinge of inanity (who cares if one wears a different or non-matching colors, after all). This inanity is sometimes thrown off (not being a good role model for children, taking flowers from other people's gardens, pulling alarms in public places, etc., etc.), but, as my criticism of the poem mainly revolves around the inanity being thrown off (around someone lacking the responsibility to act properly in front of children, to not cause alarm in numerous people for no reason, to not take from others, and so on), one can possibly guess I consider these moments rather a detriment to the work as a whole than otherwise. Perchance I took the poem too seriously--that is, of course, a possibility--or, perchance, I did not.
Warning is a poem mostly about non-conformism and age, with the final stanza intersecting these themes. For the latter theme, we see that being young seems to require adherence to numerous social mores (like having friends over, not swearing in the streets, etc., etc.), but that being old gives one something of a blank check in being an annoyance, terrible, or simply unconventional. For the former theme, we see our narrator proclaiming her desire to do these variously unconventional, terrible, or annoying things. These themes come together in the end when our narrator asks: "But maybe I ought to practice a little now?" In this, she implies that maybe acting old is something she can should do now, if only to ironically create a new social fabric that warns those around her of the potentiality of eventually going off the deep end. I cannot say I am overly enthusiastic about the message, or seeming message, of the poem, for I do not think it is right simply to throw off all boundaries or rules, especially in regard to some things which she mentions within the poem (like picking others people's flowers or puling alarms willy-nilly, in what I presume to be public places). My skepticism of the main idea behind the work is what makes it 4 stars for me, if not 3--indeed, if valued for theme alone, the poem isn't altogether great (by which I mean the poem could have conceivably been considered worthy of only a single star). I did like the imagery, though, and, in especial, the first lines, which read:
"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me."
It immediately evokes the themes of the work whilst giving it a tinge of inanity (who cares if one wears a different or non-matching colors, after all). This inanity is sometimes thrown off (not being a good role model for children, taking flowers from other people's gardens, pulling alarms in public places, etc., etc.), but, as my criticism of the poem mainly revolves around the inanity being thrown off (around someone lacking the responsibility to act properly in front of children, to not cause alarm in numerous people for no reason, to not take from others, and so on), one can possibly guess I consider these moments rather a detriment to the work as a whole than otherwise. Perchance I took the poem too seriously--that is, of course, a possibility--or, perchance, I did not.
October 8, 2024
Warning by Jenny Joseph is a beautiful poem about the impatient and eager feeling to grow old : to be liberated from all inhibitions and restraints; be freed from the shackles of social courtesies and be finally free to do whatever she wants.
The poet yearns for the childlike freedom where she can dress however she wants , eat whatever she wants and buy whatever her heart desires.
The poem beautifully conveys the contrast of what she longs for and what she has to do by the switch from the future tense to the present tense.
When reading the first stanza , I couldn't help but think :why wait till you get old what even guarantees that you'll get to grow older , just seize the moment.
The poet yearns for the childlike freedom where she can dress however she wants , eat whatever she wants and buy whatever her heart desires.
The poem beautifully conveys the contrast of what she longs for and what she has to do by the switch from the future tense to the present tense.
When reading the first stanza , I couldn't help but think :why wait till you get old what even guarantees that you'll get to grow older , just seize the moment.
February 25, 2022
I run a Red Hat Ladies chapter and we go out wearing purple clothing, sporting our best red hats and spread fun and laughter in our wake following the poem "Warning" written by the Brummie poet Jenny Joseph. We want to grow old disgracefully and cheerfully and share smiles with people to brighten their day
People often stop and stare and ask about our attire and we tell them about the British Red Hatters and our sisters across the pond and how the Red Hat Society started.
The British Red Hatters have their own web page.
People often stop and stare and ask about our attire and we tell them about the British Red Hatters and our sisters across the pond and how the Red Hat Society started.
The British Red Hatters have their own web page.
August 11, 2022
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.
A cute charity shop find which Tania picked up as she has used it for teaching before.
The original poem is called 'Warning' and was published back in 1992. It is sharp and witty and puts a positive spin on growing old. The illustrations perfectly match the mood and tone of the work. 4 stars.
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.
A cute charity shop find which Tania picked up as she has used it for teaching before.
The original poem is called 'Warning' and was published back in 1992. It is sharp and witty and puts a positive spin on growing old. The illustrations perfectly match the mood and tone of the work. 4 stars.
November 25, 2022
I love this book so much and the illustrations really enhance the feeling of freedom and self-expression. It's a tiny book with just one poem inside, but I really enjoyed it. It's actually given me a bit of a boost for my day. The gentle encouragement to relax a little and not be so hard on yourself - to live life on your own terms - is quite inspiring.
May 31, 2023
A comical poem of a women warning that when she is old she will be outrageous and not care about what people think. But for now she must be responsible and do the right thing... or should she begin to "practice" now so that people aren't shocked "When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple."
Very funny!
Very funny!
December 30, 2024
Picked this up in my quest to make it to 100 books this year and it is adorable and the poem is very cute and I only wish there had been more color in the art! I mean, come on, the poem is ABOUT color! They couldn't have shelled out a few bucks for some accent shading?
October 23, 2017
Such an enjoyable little poem
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews