THE OFFICE LOO

 

(Perhaps we all tend to value ourselves too
highly; and others not enough?)

 

Here, within the confines of the office loo,
Damp and faintly chlorine smelling,
Like some public swimming baths,
The bolted door defends me for a few
Minutes from the endless persecution
Of the shrilling telephone,
And I rest my case, sit me down,
Close my eyes, knowing as I do,
That, for few moments, here I'm safe:
In this very small sanctuary,
No one can get me,
Can abuse or upset me,
Might even forget me…..
And sometimes, here, I wonder if you true-
-ly know the cost to me,
Of this…. the sacrifice I make, for you.

Yet you wash and iron an endless pile of shirts,
Press my suits without complaining,
Make sure the meager budget lasts
Till pay day. You remember to renew
The TV licence, avoiding prosecution;
Remind me to insert suppositories,
Shrinking haemorrhoids, which you
Alone know cause me such irritation:
And in life, in my very small periphery,
You're always there behind me,.
In whatever mood you'll find me,
So don't anyone ever let me
Doubt, for a moment, the hugh-
-ly mounting debt of gratitude
For all you do for me….
………the debt I owe to you.

 

 

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