An Ex-Commuter’s Lament
A million commuters rushing headlong for their
train,
With scowls upon their faces they all jollity disdain.
With
brollies curled upon their arm, at crack of dawn each day.
Oh to hell with
London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!
And irritated passengers on smoky buses
masked
By gloomy headlined papers, that their scanning eyes so
fast
Accumulate all details of the Stock Exchange today.
Oh to hell with
London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!
Each day progresses with great zest, until the
evening tide.
When brollies curled on arms once more, they take the homeward
ride.
Like sardines packed in airless tube, strap-hanging all the way.
Oh
to hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got
away.
But I once was a part of this, and loved it
all I know.
The bustling and the hurrying, and the jostling to and
fro.
Until one day I cried, "No more!” and sanity held sway.
Oh to
hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got
away!
And now the seven-ten pulls in at our small
country track.
The doors are slammed, the flood pours through, the Business
men are back.
I raise my head from quiet calm, a wistful smile betray
-
Oh to hell with London’s Business World, I’m glad I got away!
Janet Johnson