This post draws from two inspirations: one, the Poolside Laureate is between jobs and looking for work; and two, the Barcelona street sweepers are a peculiar feature of our cityscape. They always seem to work in pairs (in case one of them is attacked?), and they use charming brooms that could be farm implements straight out of the middle ages. Ah! there is a third inspiration… public sector jobs here require level of language proficiency in Catalan.
O, Sister! Can you spare a broom?
O, Sister! Can you spare a broom?
I'll help you sweep the street.
I just need a little money
so the kids and I can eat.
Every job I ask for,
they say I’m overqualified!
I sure don’t understand it.
I’m frankly mystified.
I’m not too good to push a broom;
I’d like to work outdoors.
There's no shame in honest work,
and all of us do chores.
Slim chance they’ll hire me I guess,
I can't conjugate the verbs
required on the language test
that lets you sweep the curbs.
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Published by poolsidelaureate
That was then. This is now. Write wherever you are.
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Poolside Laureate 
Melani, this is my favorite poem. It is so tight and economical, when you read it it has a solid beat like a piece of music. more of this please! dave