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Monday 1 August 2011

Interview

I'm looking for a janitor today.
The school unfinished,
unusable at present,
will soon be ready "right on cue".
A bungalow goes with the post.
No shortage then of candidates.

The clerk-of-works has volunteered
his porta-cabin for the interview.
We've all squeezed in: the governors,
the County representative,
a man from maintenance, a clerk.
The clerk reads out apologies.

First in: a youngish man from Kent.
He speaks of his experience:
both of the job and children too -
particularly "kids like these".
A school he knows in Kent,
he mentions it by name...

No, not employed, he helps out there -
his nephew's school, in fact.
(I know the boy, Jack Jones.)
The candidate is gaining confidence;
he's helped with woodwork lessons,
motor maintenance and groups on visits.

The recent deputy relied on him,
spoke of him in glowing colours.
The two of them became great friends.
He'd take a full part in school life
if he should get the job.
I don't let on: the deputy was me.

I learn much more about myself
before I break my vow of silence:
for instance how I recommended he
receive a gong. At last I speak: tell all.
He smiles. No word of explanation:
he withdraws his application.

11 comments:

Misterio Vida said...

beautifully written :)

Jenny Woolf said...

How very curious. And a bit creepy if I am understanding correctly.

kaykuala said...

Interviewing candidates is not the end but the beginning. Once he's employed he'll be there for better or for worst. He's the one to decide how long he'll stay.
When he withdraws his application at the interview it tells us something.
I hope the right person gets the job eventually!

jabblog said...

I think this might happen quite a lot these days - 'bigging it up'!!

Gerry Snape said...

Oh how sad!...do you think that maybe he was bigging it up because the jobs are few and far between...at least he smiled at the end.

Windsmoke. said...

Very enjoyable indeed :-).

Mary said...

That is quite a story, Dave.

Carl said...

I totally enjoyed this.

Anonymous said...

Dave, I'm of the "hmmmm" school of thought on this. If the two were simply lovers, that's one thing. If kids were involved, that's entirely understandable... a good poem often leaves this kind of lingering doubt, so I have to day, loved it.
Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/lost-in-the-weeds/

Dave King said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dave King said...

Muhammad
Hi, good to have your comment. Thank you very much for it.

Jenny

Mmmm, sounds like you've understood it. A huge coincidence for sure.

kaykuala
He saved us the trouble of terminating the interview.

jabblog
Well, yes, except there was nothing to big up. I'd never seen him before that day.

Gerry
Possibly. As I indicated, the fact that it was a residential post attracted a huge response. Bigging it up, I understand, up to a pojt expect, but this was something else.

Windsmoke
Much thanks.

Mary
More than a little embarrassing at the time.

Carl
Good to hear that. Thanks.

sharplittle pencil
Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. No children were involved, I'm sure.