Lonliness Poem by Martin Swords

After Billy Collins





At edge of town I once saw Loneliness
sitting with his friend Together
sleeping in a shelter.

I, heading home from nightshift to family,
was alone, not lonely.

But they were there together, huddled
for heat in the long cold night.
Each was all they had.

Soon, on some cold or stormy morning
one would fail to wake.
Then the loneliness would double,
being alone, utterly.







Martin Swords
Nov.2008