It lies there
Surrounded by metal, as its own
Encased in concrete
Long hardened and dark with age.
But below,
A hidden kingdom
Where elves play
Emitting foul aromas
That keep mankind away.
And in these dark recesses
Lurks a time capsule of the past
When man walked upright
And shouldered his burdens
But, alas, no more.
The manhole cover, Covers.
Sidi J. Mahtrow
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/manhole-covers-3/