'The Loneliness of the Commuter'

I start up the engine of my car 
And begin the three miles home 
To my house, where no one 
Will greet me or say "Hello", 
Where no one lives but me: alone. 

Two people on the pavement 
Chatting flash by me; 
Postman and his cycle and a wave; 
Schoolchildren and satchels; 
Lawnmower and a man wiping sweat. 

Horse and cart overtaken; 
Down a hill and over a bridge; 
Hedge flickering past; 
Someone running and kicking a ball; 
Two people with tennis racquets. 

Man reading on a bench; 
Driver resting on his steering wheel; 
Boy catching butterflies in the lay-by; 
Children playing "he" together; 
Boy and girl holding hands, walking. 

A turn to the left and home 
To my house, where no one 
Will greet me, where no one 
Will say "Hello" to me 
Where no one lives but me: 
Alone. 

Charles Haddon-Cave