Here, within the confines of the office loo,

Damp and faintly chlorine smelling,

Like some public swimming baths,

The bolted door defends me for a few

Minutes from the endless persecution

Of the shrilling telephone,

And I rest my case, sit me down,

Close my eyes, knowing as I do,

That, for few moments, here I'm safe:

In this very small sanctuary,

No one can get me,

Can abuse or upset me,

Might even forget me…..

And sometimes, here, I wonder if you true-

-ly know the cost to me,

Of this…. the sacrifice I make, for you.

Yet you wash and iron an endless pile of shirts,

Press my suits without complaining,

Make sure the meagre budget lasts

Till pay day. You remember to renew

The TV licence, avoiding prosecution;

Remind me to insert my suppositories,

To shrink the haemorrhoids, which you alone,

Know cause me such irritation:

And in my very small periphery,

You're always behind me,

However you'll find me.

So don't anyone let me

Doubt, for a few moments, the huge-

-ly mounting debt of gratitude

For all you do for me….

………the debt I owe to you.