Later edit for A rose and a broom / Une rose et un Balai

I finally decided to stretch my brain, put to use my 12 school years of studying French and read the original book, Un rose et un balai.

As I expected, the book is a meditation with a touch of philosophy expressed through poetry, the way you would expect from someone who has a rather high education and takes a job as a street sweeper. Not because he has failed at everything else, but for embodying the whole tone of his book: a sophisticated and kind choice of simplicity.

Don’t expect this to be written in the style of ‘I’ve been at my lowest low and now I’m back and here’s Top 10 teachings from my experience’. No, this is not an organized listicle on how to bounce back from adversity.

This is you taking time - yes, TIME - to read something, as if you were having a conversation with the man, simply to ponder and exchange thoughts about life.

So, whether you can read in French, or we’ll have an English version for A rose and a broom soon, allow yourself the luxury of simply enjoying the sage thoughts expressed through poetry in prose.