Green Form

Green Form

The man in the dole office asked me this morning
If he could see my green form.

"My what?" I naturally replied.

"The evidence and proof that you have applied
For jobs and been looking for work."

Of course proof have I none, as I've done nothing to try and find
work.
'Cos if I can get by without being exploited and underpaid
I'm sure as hell not going to try and persuade
The corporate greedy to exploit and underpay me
If I'm ever that needy I intend to be too cunning
For the scam that Capitalism's running

So I looked at him blankly and tried a faint smile
But young Mr Jobsworth was having none of that guile
And when I tried to explain that I thought I could remember
Applying for a job sometime in late December
He produced from his file a slip of paper signed by me
Solemnly swearing to seek jobs actively.

I'd forgotten about that
But stammered to say I'd sent off for a job
"Just the other day.
Will you let me sign or not?" I pleaded.

He peered at me
Officiously,
"A green form is what is needed."

On the corner of his desk sat a grave fresh pile of forms
In a shade of vomit green
So I took one of these, borrowed his pen
Tried to appear more serene

Having not looked for work for a very long time
I had to be inventive on every line
Mentioning papers I would never buy
Paying care and attention to every last lie

Then I handed it in to Mr Jobsworth who
Actually confessed he understood my point of view
Then said it would get harder for the unemployed
So I asked him if he had ever toyed with the idea of
Just passing a blind eye

He said he couldn't afford principles
They could cost him his job

Juno