The housebound find it difficult to adapt.
It's rather like being caught in a trap.
Unless someone calls and decides to stay,
Quiet pervades throughout the day.

The lonely are quite a race apart.
Unless they touch our tender heart.
When in time, they cannot walk,
There is still the need to laugh and talk.

The papers tell of rape, murder and crimes.
Thes grim facts face one all the time.
Books are so explicit they can't be read.
Sexy couples' antics described in bed!

The old desire a much calmer mind.
Their background was of a different kind.
The lonely facing a very sad plight.
Something impossible.
To know how to fight.

These days seem endless, nights too long.
For them somehow, life has all gone wrong.
There is so much they want to say.
But noone came to call today.

At last the bell rings.
Oh, what joy!
Standing there was the paperboy!
All those wishful hopes of where..
A dear friend might be standing there!

People seem busy with lives intent.
In going away, on pleasure bent.
Spare some pity for those in this state.
For one day, it could be your unwelcome fate!

Submitted by: Emily May Horan, Copyright, 2006
Story Location: Cheltenham, UK