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John Betjeman - The Lift Man
Work rating: Low

      In uniform behold me stand,
      The lovely lift at my command.
      I press the button: Pop,
      And down I go below the town;
      The walls rise up as I go down
          And in the basement stop.

      For weeks I’ve worked a morning shift
      On this old Waygood-Otis lift.
          And goodness, don’t I love
      To press the knob that shuts the gate
      When customers are shouting ‘Wait!’
          And soar to floors above.

      I see them from my iron cage,
      Their faces looking up in rage,
          And then I call ‘First floor!
      Perfume and ladies’ underwear!’
      ‘No sir, Up only. Use the stair.’
          And up again we soar.

      The second floor for kiddie goods,
      And kiddie-pantz and pixie-hoods,
          The third floor, restaurant:
      And here the people always try
      To find one going down, so I
          Am not the lift they want.

      On the roof-garden floor alone
      I wait for ages on my own
          High, high above the crowds.
      O let them rage and let them ring,
      For I am out of everything,
          Alone among the clouds.
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