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The Telegraph Operator

 I will not wash my face;
I will not brush my hair;
I "pig" around the place--
There's nobody to care.
Nothing but rock and tree; Nothing but wood and stone, Oh, God, it's hell to be Alone, alone, alone! Snow-peaks and deep-gashed draws Corral me in a ring.
I feel as if I was The only living thing On all this blighted earth; And so I frowst and shrink, And crouching by my hearth I hear the thoughts I think.
I think of all I miss-- The boys I used to know; The girls I used to kiss; The coin I used to blow: The bars I used to haunt; The racket and the row; The beers I didn't want (I wish I had 'em now).
Day after day the same, Only a little worse; No one to grouch or blame-- Oh, for a loving curse! Oh, in the night I fear, Haunted by nameless things, Just for a voice to cheer, Just for a hand that clings! Faintly as from a star Voices come o'er the line; Voices of ghosts afar, Not in this world of mine; Lives in whose loom I grope; Words in whose weft I hear Eager the thrill of hope, Awful the chill of fear.
I'm thinking out aloud; I reckon that is bad; (The snow is like a shroud)-- Maybe I'm going mad.
Say! wouldn't that be tough? This awful hush that hugs And chokes one is enough To make a man go "bugs".
There's not a thing to do; I cannot sleep at night; No wonder I'm so blue; Oh, for a friendly fight! The din and rush of strife; A music-hall aglow; A crowd, a city, life-- Dear God, I miss it so! Here, you have moped enough! Brace up and play the game! But say, it's awful tough-- Day after day the same (I've said that twice, I bet).
Well, there's not much to say.
I wish I had a pet, Or something I could play.
Cheer up! don't get so glum And sick of everything; The worst is yet to come; God help you till the Spring.
God shield you from the Fear; Teach you to laugh, not moan.
Ha! ha! it sounds so queer-- Alone, alone, alone!

Poem by Robert William Service
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