Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

Final Ride

The elevator took its time, 
A long delay on 3
And when it hit the lobby,
This is what confronted me:

Two men, their arms all wrapped around
What I believed to be
A covered piece of furniture,
As far as I could see.

I almost joked that it appeared
To look like someone dead,
But when I saw the stretcher,
Well, it filled my mind with dread.

I turned around; the doorman
Caught my eye and shook his head.
The message got through clearly, 
Though the details weren’t said.

I’ve lived there over 40 years
And other tenants died.
I’d never seen one take 
That final elevator ride.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Caren Krutsinger May 16, 2022 at 12:48 AM I am glad you did not say it aloud "I almost joked " -I am afraid I might have done it so quickly, my face would have been red for a long time.

Bill Baker May 13, 2022 at 4:57 PM It gets real when we experience one passing, up close and personal, as they use to say. Something to think about, thanks for sharing, Bill

Rico Leffanta May 5, 2022 at 9:42 PM Happens all the time here. I'm on the 3rd go-around for neighbours, so might as well live in the death ward of an hospital . . . .Enjoyed your poem! Aloha!

Gershon Wolf May 5, 2022 at 7:59 PM Well-worded, esp. for such a grim topic.

L Milton Hankins May 5, 2022 at 12:54 PM What a sad experience. What a metaphor! Of course, we will all take that final ride someday. And yet, when we see it for someone else, it is always startling. This is good stuff, Ilene!