Dear Broom,


You and I have been friends for quite a long time. From the time I was a kid, you have always been present, as it was family custom to have a friend like you around even if sometimes, your inadequacy becomes a real problem for me.


You and I shared a lot of painful memories.


I remember picking up your detaching hairs each time I work with you. It’s tiring having to pick up your mess, when you are supposed to help me out in the first place.

Broom hairs falling out each sweeping time

I remember having to brush the huge living room carpet with my bare feet to get rid of pet fur and dust, because you obviously are incapable in that field.


I remember the dust that you swept away coming back through the door from outside.



I remember being so exhausted from the daily chores and from office work, and having to do all these by myself when you are supposed to help me in making the house squeaky clean.

Even the cat doesn’t want to deal with you anymore, broom

…Until my sister-in-law had us try her new cleaning pal, the Electrolux Listo vacuum cleaner. I was skeptical at first, but  I needed an alternative. With reluctance, I plugged it in and slid it over the carpet and on the floor, and in just one brief run, all the dust and fur were gone and never came back. I thought, now there’s a real friend. If only I could win a friend like that.

A collection of fur and dust

Trying out the Electrolux vacuum cleaner a first time

Voila! No Dust and fur!

 It can even do hard-to-reach areas without having to move furniture around

A spanking new carpet courtesy of my sister-in-law’s Listo



I was browsing the net the other day, and I came across http://digitista.blogspot.com/ and saw Electrolux’s doom of the broom contest where I can win something like my sister-in-law’s Listo, only more handy. Exhilirated, I visited the Electrolux website at http://electrolux.com.ph and checked out the contest prize, the Electrolux Dynamica. A chance to win  my own vacuum cleaner!

The Electrolux Dynamica.
(photo courtesy of digitista.blogspot.com)



It was an epiphany. Could this be the end of our long-endured relationship?

For the meantime, you’re sitting lifeless, tucked away in a corner of the house, waiting for another disastrous sweep. Obviously you need to lay to rest, but I don’t want to buy a new friend that’s exactly just like you: something that promises a lot in the beginning, then fails miserably within a short while. I’ve had quite many of  your disappointing cohorts over the years, and this contest should mark the end of that repetitious cycle.

You’re a memory of olden times, Broom, when I have to strain my back even after a strenuous day at work and at home, and pick up your detaching hairs. I want a relationship that’s more permanent, a friend that could stay with me until I’m old and osteoporotic, and not cause me as much trouble.


The broom needs to retire. For good.



I am sorry, you and I have been friends for long. But this is what I have to say to you:


I need change. I want to start the doom of the broom. I need help!


Walis tambo fan no more,
Butchie

In Uncategorized

Gretchen is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and essayist from the Philippines, where she embraces life while managing bipolar disorder and ADHD. Her confessional pieces unpack the complexities of grief, healing, motherhood, love, and intersections, garnering recognition from the Greg Grummer Poetry Contest and Navigator's Travel Writing Competition.

20 Comments

  6. Thanks for the comments dearies! We really need the vacuum cleaner at home especially now that we have 4 kittens on the way.

    @Sweet – sige, if we win, we'll lend you the vacuum hehe

    @Lorna – korek!

    Reply

  7. Vacuum cleaners are not just for home use. I also use one when cleaning my car. I hope you win the contest, your broom sure looks like it needs to retire. Hehe.

    Reply

  11. Broom: 0
    Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner: +100,000,000 points!

    Electrolux wins hands down! keeps your house clean with no hassle. i'm sorry about your broom. mukhang may alopecia na. at nilinis pa ng vacuum ung dust & fur na iniwan ng broom mo.you and your kitties will enjoy your new vacuum!

    Reply

  17. The vacuum will really help you and Jigs to easily clean the house with out sweat in no time! Compare to the broom, it is really efficient bec it can clean the furs on your carpet that the broom cant do, what a nice invention!

    Reply

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