Wants - Philip Larkin

Beyond all this, the wish to be alone:
However the sky grows dark with invitation-cards
However we follow the printed directions of sex
However the family is photographed under the flagstaff - 
Beyond all this, the wish to be alone.

Beneath it all, desire of oblivion runs:
Despite the artful tensions of the calendar,
The life assurance, the tabled fertility rites,
The costly aversion of the eyes from death,
Beneath it all, desire of oblivion runs.