Elevator

People enter, stay for a few floors,

Then 

            They

                            Leave

I am used to it by now, but I can’t get over the shaft-
a dark, yawning tunnel that swallows me whole,
So close.
So tight.
Too narrow-
Soclosesotighttoonarrow.

And Oh God,

The repetition drives me 

Crazy
Letting me go only two ways:
Up         Up               Up

Down             Down

And, oh dear Lord,

Why are the people so whiny?
Complaintive?
Boring?
Loud?
Why do they say I need fixing?

Am I too oily?
Too squeaky?
Too slow?

I carry and ferry,
Their dreams,
Thoughts,
                    Hopes,
                                    Memories.
                                                            Their weight.
                                                                                           And nothing is left for me.

What do I not see?
What is wrong with me?
Will there be an end to this misery?
Will anybody
Thank me?