What did William Plomer write on Not Answering The Telephone?

William Plomer wrote a poem called "Not Answering the Telephone." It's a short but powerful piece that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the desire for connection. The poem consists of only four stanzas and is written in a simple yet evocative style.

Here's the poem:

>Not answering the telephone

>Is a way of getting even

>With the world outside

>Which has been making me feel ill.

>I know what I want

>A place apart,

>A place of peace

>And quiet and solitude.

>This is the only way

>To find a remedy

>For the restlessness of cities

>And the people in them.

>I’ll be happy to answer the telephone

>When I’ve had a good long sleep.

Plomer's poem uses the simple act of not answering the phone to symbolize a broader desire for escape from the demands and pressures of the modern world. The speaker seeks solace and peace in solitude, finding a temporary refuge from the noise and commotion of urban life. The final stanza suggests a longing for a return to connection, but only after a period of restorative rest and rejuvenation.

This poem is a poignant reflection on the human need for both solitude and connection, and how we can find a balance between the two.