When I grow old....
Watch this postSorry to rant but I've just read yet another tunnel-vision article interpreting the poem "When I grow old I shall wear purple blah blah" as being all about having the courage to do what we want when we're old.
Does nobody ever see that it could perhaps be about not wasting your youth trying to conform to some ideal image where you never wear (or do) anything "inappropriate"?
Life is about now, surely, not some vague future when you might get up the "courage" (whaaa??) to wear purple.
To me, the poem could just be aimed at making an ironic comment about all the people who think it's about . . . well, you get my drift. Thanks for bothering to read this.
I feel slightly better now.
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As for me it is and remains one of my favourites as you can guess from my username. I have had my share of a Dutiful life (and breaking out occasionally, given the opportunity). At 88 rising 89 I take delight in the chance to be harmlessly shocking and" I don't care what you think of me" when Duty of one sort or another no longer hold you down. How's that for tunnel vision?
I saw purple.
My new car is a huge white pickup with WARRIOR written on the front doors. I laugh out loud every time I get into it. When we’ve done with lock down I’m off to explore the far reaches of our beautiful islands, nowhere too remote or tricky.
The poem simply suggests that we get out of the box that a life of responsibility has packed us in, at a time when we have only our own hearts to answer too.
With love and encouragement to all the purple hearted. Dani.
The thing is, age isn’t just chronological, is it? It’s where you’re at inside. I’m having the teenage rebellion that I wasn’t allowed at the time! I’d strongly recommend it; there’s no one to ‘ground’ you for misbehaviour and no long term future to mess up.. perfect time to find the youth you might have had if you weren’t so busy being sensible!