The Servants’ Hall
They surround the long oak table
as they have for centuries.
Below stairs, the very
foundations of the house,
supporting the edifice above.
This is where generations of staff
gathered and here they still are,
lining the walls of their world,
their faces, names and skills
celebrated in portraits and verse.
So numerous they spill out
into the basement passage,
past the row of bells,
up the service staircase
to where duty calls.
I think there’s some repetition in the first half, but love the way it gathers pace sending the servants ‘to where duty calls’. Fab ending.
Pity that the foundations are not so good! Otherwise, I like the dynamic – from downstairs to upstairs/duty.
isn’ t that interesting Martin – the reference to foundations – the structure of the house – was it the physical structure or the human element that crumbled first? Yes the poem does gather pace towards the end. Glad you voted to keep the last line Robbie. HURRAY! You have made it Jonathan! You are an official member of the Last Line Club at last (only joking Robbie).