The Red Hatted, Purple Dressed, “Georgia Girls”
Our Response to Jenny Joseph’s 1961 Poem:
“Warning, When I am an Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple.”
Ms. Joseph is from Minchinhampton, England.
Response Written by Gloria Carter,
Queen Mother, “Georgia Girls Red Hatters”
July 19, 2011
We’re “Cool Cats” with red hats and purple dresses on.
Our husbands think we’ve lost our minds—that our mental health is gone!
But we are The “Georgia Girls,” a step above the rest.
“We do our things” without regret ‘cause we know we’re The Best!
The Only Rule that we must keep: “We have no rules at all!”
We live our lives the way we choose, without coercion’s call.
We dress up funny; gaudy’s good, in ostrich feathers bright.
With purple gloves, red sequined bags, we go out “styled” at night!
Home folks glare at our attire, wondering where we buy our clothes.
But, when we smile and wave at them, they laugh from head to toes!
We know they cannot help but wish they had the courage, too,
To make their own decisions to do only what they choose!
We don’t do crimes; engage in sin; we’re careful in our plight.
We love our “Sisters” fearlessly, and seldom ever fight!
The Georgia Girls now know that life is “centered just on us.”
We’ve trained our husbands, reared our kids, and conquered all our lusts.
We’re over fifty, gray, and fat; there’s no young chicks around
To challenge us with jealousy when our husbands come to town.
Our spouses do not meet with us, so they won’t run us down,
Intimidate, or impress us with their wisdom, wealth, or frowns.
Our kids are grown, so they “KNOW ALL,” and seldom need car keys.
No more discipline; no more lectures; and no more college fees!
We like folks who laugh and share, and love to stop and eat.
We like traveling here and there, and shopping down the streets.
We love music: Elvis’ Song, “I Did it My Way”; see?
So, the Red Hat “Georgia Girls” is the place for us to be!
We love wearing purple clothes with red hats, though unmatched.
We like spending pensions on pouring brandy “down the hatch”!
We like sitting down at Sam’s and resting on their floors
And gobbling up their samples when we’re hungry, or just bored.
We like pressing fire alarms when we’re just “in the mood”!
We like running walking canes down Food Courts’ walls of food.
We like walking barefoot in the rain or down the street.
We like picking daffodils by a neighbor’s garden seat.
We have learned to spit and burp; and in boxes hoard.
‘Cause little kids we now don’t have to be examples for.
We don’t have to read the news, or watch “the football game”;
And we won’t have to clean and cook, or invite cohorts so vane.
And if anyone complains at all, we’ll turn off our hearing aids.
We’ll stare at them with faces frowned, stick out our tongues, and gape.
Because we’re older now and wise, we’ll do the things we choose.
We’re tranquillized by doctors; so, we’ve finally got the proof
That we’re certified as “Nuts,” you see; “We’re Crazy” by “Their Rules.”
Of course, that’s not a crime or sin; they’ve been licensed by Med Schools!
So, if you see some Purple Gals wearing feathered hats of red,
Remember, we’re just loving life; and there’s no way we’re dead!
In fact, we’re full of so much life; that we may NEVER DIE …
Though we may choose to win you, too, to the “Wilder Side of Life”!
