The Lift

by Howard Wright

I see my life for what it is
as I wait at the lift. Inside, all the buttons
are pressed and no one says anything,
and at every floor no one gets off.

At each floor, no one gets on. Then
the wall speaks and a couple enters and talk
all at once as if no one is there.
There is only me, and they laugh

and we are all impressed
as we are meant to be. Eventually, without
realising it, we reach their floor
and the couple leave together.

No one gets on. I go back down
only to find my life waiting for me.