Once I seen a human ruin <br /> In a elevator-well. <br /> And his members was bestrewin' <br /> All the place where he had fell. <br /> And I says, apostrophisin' <br /> That uncommon woful wreck: <br /> "Your position's so surprisin' <br /> That I tremble for your neck!" <br /> Then that ruin, smilin' sadly <br /> And impressive, up and spoke: <br /> "Well, I wouldn't tremble badly, <br /> For it's been a fortnight broke." <br /> <br /> Then, for further comprehension <br /> Of his attitude, he begs <br /> I will focus my attention <br /> On his various arms and legs-- <br /> <br /> How they all are contumacious; <br /> Where they each, respective, lie; <br /> How one trotter proves ungracious, <br /> T' other one an alibi. <br /> <br /> These particulars is mentioned <br /> For to show his dismal state, <br /> Which I wasn't first intentioned <br /> To specifical relate. <br /> <br /> None is worser to be dreaded <br /> That I ever have heard tell <br /> Than the gent's who there was spreaded <br /> In that elevator-well. <br /> <br /> Now this tale is allegoric-- <br /> It is figurative all, <br /> For the well is metaphoric <br /> And the feller didn't fall. <br /> <br /> I opine it isn't moral <br /> For a writer-man to cheat, <br /> And despise to wear a laurel <br /> As was gotten by deceit. <br /> <br /> For 'tis Politics intended <br /> By the elevator, mind, <br /> It will boost a person splendid <br /> If his talent is the kind. <br /> <br /> Col. Bryan had the talent <br /> (For the busted man is him) <br /> And it shot him up right gallant <br /> Till his head began to swim. <br /> <br /> Then the rope it broke above him <br /> And he painful came to earth <br /> Where there's nobody to love him <br /> For his detrimented worth. <br /> <br /> Though he's living' none would know him, <br /> Or at leastwise not as such. <br /> Moral of this woful poem: <br /> Frequent oil your safety-clutch.Porfer Poog.<br /><br />Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/safety-clutch-3/
