 There Gilbert set himself the task of learning English, especially the everyday language as spoken in the streets, with hopes of eventually reaching Broadway.In the meantime he found work in clubs and cabarets, which brought an intermittent income, while Elke worked in factories as a seamstress.During these years, Gilbert published his first volume of poetry, "Meine Reime, Deine Reime", which contained his serious insights, along with sharp political satire, and reminiscences of the lost beloved city of Berlin.