Karine's First Poem

                                     photo taken on Jan. 18, 2026 

                           Wear a Red Hat with Blue Shoes

Inspired by Jenny Joseph’s poem “Be Warned.” 

Yes, I am forty-something

I match blue shoes

with a red hat and a red dress.

Some say I am “too old” to learn new things

But I do it anyway

I dance, bang on drums

Hop on motorcycles

Go hiking at night.

 

Yes, I am “crazy.”

I travel and go to concerts alone

I thank all the people who said

“You should not”, but I did. 

I want to celebrate life!

Celebrate the unfinished lives.

Of my friends who died young.

 

So, my friends

Let’s celebrate life!

Wear a red hat with blue shoes

Bang on a drum and dance!

May 21, 2005, Revised Jan. 18, 2026

© Karine Armen