I have a dozen buttons people press
that motivate me, first I'm up, then down.
It doesn't give me very much distress,
much rather have a smile than give a frown.
They call me night and day, at any hour,
an open door, a lift to lofty height,
a slow and steady rise is cabled power,
a stop between the floors may cause a fright.
I never find that service is a bore;
so please come in, and may I ask, what floor?
Author notes
We all have our ups and downs.
A contest entry
- Spill Ink by pattyann4500.
900 points, ended June 22, 21 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What do you think?
Comments
1 - 19 of 19
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Oh boy...right between the eyes, I've a couple negatives that need to be tossed down the elevator shaft. I like the background in this, for this a pearl of a poem. Such pretty buttons! What floor, m'Lady?
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Thanks very much Karen.
We all have these buttons for up and down. My friends like to go up. 
The ones who want to go down are thereby closer to the door.
I hope you enjoyed your fine weather.
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I agree with Papillon1. You're good with extended metaphor. I have a hard time working out one line of metaphor.
This poem is pleasing to read. Indeed, one should put on a pleasing face even if one feels quite unhappy.
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a slow and steady rise is cabled power,
a stop between the floors
great metaphors for the reality of ups and downs and the sometimes in betweens. I hope you are well...keep smiling,
xoxoxoxo
reenie
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Thank you Reenie! I'm happy you like this poem.
I'm on a long vacation among my loved ones, life does not get any better. Many blessings to you.
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Metaphoric
Very good! Imagination is a creative outlet you seem to lack nothing for
when it comes to writing you make the extended metaphor look like a simple chore
Bravo when can I have more???
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Love it. You had me on pins and needles wondering what you are! Like the way you didn't reveal that till the last few lines.
Congrats on the gold trophy.
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Thanks very much Judyjudyjudy.
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I truly love this, Margaret. The metaphoric use of the elevator to mood changes is brilliant and fascinating. Thank you so much for your entry. Patricia
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Thank you Patricia, it was a pleasure to write for this contest. I had been thinking about buttons and ups and downs for a while; if it is our nature to respond to people around us, and to have moods, why not normalize it? After a down comes an up.
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Ah, Margaret, you appear to be the epitome
of kindness dispensed with urgency,
always available, always knowledgeable.
Aesthete
. Rewarded 4
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Thank you, Aesthete, for kindness sees itself in others,
we see the world not as it is, but as we are
and if you see me kind, you see yourself,
gentleness and generosity from afar. -
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Margaret, so happy to have found you
and your work, and reflect in
your wisdom. It was a circuitous path
from Yem to Hugh to Mari to maa,
with me finding your work somewhere
on that route! -
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I know all of them well. I'm pleased to learn more about you, as well. Unfortunately you catch me on the brink of going away for the summer - however, I have an archive.
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a good piece of poetry, a good beginning, i like the button imagery, we all have those that are pressed constantly by other people, very much like a lift yes, positive with smiles rather than the frowns. well just hpe the lift does not get stuck in between floors for that might cause some chaos.
. Rewarded 6
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Thank you for your kind comment and applause. I like the smiles line too.
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I've never been much good in lifts
I once earned a couple of bob
But it did not attract me
They then went and sacked me
A bit of an up and down job.
I know that this joke's very old
And one that's already been told
But before I descend
And come to the end
I wish you the tops, have a gold!
. Rewarded 6
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Do I discern a sentiment--
Dim-wit asking what you meant:
So is your life a metaphor?
One with lots of ups and downs?
I'd love to hear a little more
of how you travel when in towns.
Perhaps I have it truly wrong...
does the lift then tag along?
Just kidding, I could not resist
but if you ask why I'm so dumb,
it's just in case you must insist
it stretches it to maximum
in lateral world to self-restrict
stationary, vertical life depict.
I like yours much better.
. Rewarded 8
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It is amazing how much I am like an elevator. Seems I could almost fill in my name for that poem....like wearing different hats.
Cheryl
. Rewarded 4
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