Poets on the dole

Worst job market in decades. It's official, a government survey revealed that 'young people have been hit hard by the recession with an increasing number being unable to find a job'. If you're aged 18 or over, you can claim Jobseekers Allowance. It's easy, you can claim JSA by phone or online. When you claim you'll also have to go to your JobCentre Plus to discuss your jobseeker's agreement. You must 'sign on' at the job centre every fortnight. You'll have a short interview to check your situation, job seeking progress and any change of circumstances, then you receive payment within a few days of signing on. 

I decided to claim JSA as well. I went to the job centre round the corner. Wanted to sign on as a poet, but I've been told that being a poet is not a professional activity. Hence, no benefits for poets. Rhymes? There's no money in them! 

I know someone who signed on as poet though. Brian, Shirley Valentine's son. He run off to a squat in Kirby to become a poet. His announcement to the mother: "I became a poet. I went down to the job centre today and signed on as a poet. Britain's first ever street poet!". 

And if in rhymes there's no money at all, you can still find good lessons in them: 'Don't rob cars / its mad / its bad / think of your Ma's / it'll make them sad / your mothers would get a broken heart / if you got smashed up / Get Wise! / Get Smart / Don't rob cars!' That was his very first poem after Brian signed on the dole. It didn't talk the kids out of robbing the car though. 

I love Brian. 

Brian was the first urban poet to sign on the dole.