TRUE FRIENDS
The true friends who we meet online are a very special kind.
They pierce your shields
and see within the corners of your mind.
They're always there
when you're in need with their power to discern.
They feel your pain...they offer hope and genuine concern.
We bare our souls, expose our hearts and show our inner fears.
And then before you know it the keyboard's stained with tears.
And if we can see through that screen
then no one could deny
That to be a TRUE online friend
they too must surely cry.

Thanks for being my friend!
~Author unknown

GRANDMA'S CONNECTED
In the not too distant past
-I remember very well-
Grandma's tended to their knitting,
and their cookies were just swell.

They were always at the ready,
when you needed some advice.
And their sewing (I can tell you)
Was available - and nice.

Well, Grandma's not deserted you.
She dearly loves you still.
You just won't find her cooking,
but she's right there at the till.

She thinks about you daily -
You haven't been forsook.
Your photos are quite handy,
in her Pentium notebook.

She scans your art work now though,
and combines it with cool sounds,
to make electronic greetings.
She prints pictures by the pound.

She's right there when you need her,
You really aren't alone.
She's out now with her "puter pals,"
but she took her new cell phone.

You can also leave a message
on her answering maching;
or page her at the fun meet.
She's been there since nine fifteen.

Yes, the world's a very different place,
there is no doubt of that.
So "E" her from her web page,
or join her in a chat.

She's joined the electronic age,
and it really seems to suit her.
So don't expect the same old gal
Cause Grandma's gone "Computer."
~Author unknown



BLESS MY COMPUTER
Every night I lie in bed, this little prayer inside my head.
God bless my Mom and Dad and bless my children.
And take care of my husband, he brings me so much joy...

And, God, there's just one more thing I wish you would do.
If you don't mind my asking, to Bless My 'Puter too?
Now I know that it's not normal to bless a small machine.
But listen just a second, and I'll try to explain...

You see, that little metal box holds more than odds and ends.
Inside those small components rest a hundred loving friends.
Some, it's true, I've never seen, and most I've never met.
We've never shaken hands or even hugged, and yet..
I know for sure they love me, by the kindnesses they give.

And this little scrap of metal is how I get to where they live.
By faith is how I know them, much the same as I know you.
I share the life it brings them so if it's ok with you...
Just take an extra minute from your duties up above...
To bless this little hunk of steel that's filled with so much love.
~Author unknown



FRIENDS WITHOUT FACES
We sit and we type and we stare at our screens
We all have to wonder, what this possibly means.
We chat with each other, we share all our woes,
Small groups we do form and gang up on our foes.
We wait for somebody to type out our name.
We want recognition and some of the fame.
We give kisses and hugs and sometimes we flirt,
In rooms we chat deeply and reveal why we hurt.
We form friendships but why is a thing we don't know.
Though most often flounder, some will flourish and grow.
Why is it that on screen, we can all be so bold.
Telling our secrets that have never been told?
Why is it we share those deep thoughts in our mind--
With those we can't see, as though we were blind?
The answer is simple, it's as clear as a bell.
We all have problems and need someone to tell.
We can't tell "real" people, but tell someone we must;
So we turn to the 'puter, and to those we can trust.
Even though it is crazy the truth still remains.
They are friends without faces and with odd little names.
~Author unknown

CTRL, ALT, DELETE
Don't you wish when life is bad
and things just don't compute,
That all we really had to do
was stop and hit reboot?

Things would all turn out ok,
life could be so sweet
If we had those special keys
Ctrl, Alt, and Delete

Your boss is mad, your bills not paid,
your husband, well he's just mute
Just stop and hit those wonderful keys
that makes it all reboot

You'd like to have another job
but you fear living in the street?
You solve it all and start anew,
Ctrl, Alt, and Delete
~Author unknown



ONLINE FRIEND

I have a little group of friends,
As dear as they can be.
I love them all, but sad to say,
Most I'll never get to see.

The only claim I have is that
When I feel sad, alone or blue,
I get on line, play wav's and chat.
And maybe find someone who feels it too.

They give love and support, opinions and such,
Which I can take or ponder much,
But...sometimes I round the bend
And Lo!! I'll make a brand new friend.

Feel bad, or sad? Just plain sick?
Got an attitude or habit you want to kick?
"It's ok," your friends will say, "We all been there before,
A time or two, just like you."

We know the ups, and the downs,
The highs, the lows,
The "I-could-kill-them-so-n-so's."
The pain and the strain of getting through..

We've seen it all, been there and done that,
We've worn all the different hats, that makes "us,"
And when we want to make a fuss,
We come online and find our friends.

Friends who know, and feel,
and wish, and pray
When you both know
there is nothing more to say--!
~Author unknown



GRANDMA'S ON THE INTERNET
Grandma's on the internet
You won't believe the nuts she's met
But what she'd really like to know
Is-Where are those who quilt and sew
And do the things she likes to do?
She's give them hints and learn some too.

She used to be "scared" of a wee little mouse
Would scream if one ever got in the house.
Now she hugs one night and day
She'd rather cuddle it than stay
On the couch and watch t.v.
Her first love now is her P.C

She's like to see it all unfurled
So much to learn in this new world.
She could explore it from her chair
But mostly, she plays solitaire
But that's o.k. she doesn't care
About the weather in Zaire.

Windows were glass she'd wash and look through
Now they are programs to help us all view
The earth and the sea and the beautiful sky.
A virus was something from which we could die
Now it's a nuisance that could spoil your day,
But it can be fixed and sent on it's way.

She served her time with diapers and dishes.
Now she can do whatever she wishes
And if that means staying up half the night
To point arrows at icons-that's really alright.

A bit was something you had little of.
Now it takes lots of bytes to make the above
It's all so confusing, it makes her head ache.
A byte was something you take from a cake.
She's learning more about it now
Her four year old grandchild showed her how.
~Author unknown

MOM'S ONLINE
I can hear them calling..so I know they are fine..
"Where's Mom?" they are saying..Don't they know I'm online?

We're hungry I hear..I tell them please hush
Mom is online now, what is the rush?

They had a bite yesterday..when the phone lines were out
These kids will drive you crazy, Oh look, there's a pout.

I dispense bowls of cereal, as I download a file...
No time wasted here...I'm a true computerphile!

I check out the boards and respond to a few...
"We're so bored," moan the children, "What can we do?"

I tell them to stop and please do not whine...
Can't they see their Mother is online??

The grumbling continues as they wander about
"Mom's ALWAYS on the computer," together they shout.

Unawares to me, they yank the phone line from the jack,
and say "Daddy's right, this is the way to get Mommy back!"
~Author unknown



I'M JUST GETTIN' ON FOR A MINUTE
I got up this morning, but haven't yet dressed.
My dishes aren't done and my house is a mess.
Have not done my work, have not fed the cat,
Just on line for a second and popped in to "chat."

I used to watch TV, I used to cook Mex,
I think I remember...yeah, I used to have sex!
I used to walk upright, now roll on my chair,
Tho it causes the neighborhood children to stare

I wanted to travel around on the Net,
Been too busy chatting to get on there yet.
I wanted to spreadsheet, word process or paint,
But gettin' on with them is just what I ain't!

So much to learn and I wanted to but
I'm too busy chatting and splitting a gut,
Talkin' and listenin'...is it such a sin?
Oh MY, what a fix I have got myself in!

Then up pops a name on my neat Buddy List,
Think I'll go out and give HIS tail a twist!
And in comes an IM from some weirdo guy
I cuss 'im and tell him "bye bye."

Is there a 12 step, support group, or such?
For those of us folks who chat on too much?
If there was a group, I would like it just fine,
Except that it prob'ly would be here online!

Are there therapists here? I think that I saw some
Its got me, its got me, its power is AWESOME.
It's my new computer, Ive had it one week,
Now I look in the mirror and I see a "geek."

Or maybe a geekess, but I see the signs,
Please help me, please help me, please get me offline!
Or better, please Email a burger and fries,
'Cause I'm staying ONLINE, at least 'til I die!!!
~Author unknown


TREASURE OF FRIENDSHIP
I hold in my hands
a box of gold,
with a secret inside
that has never been told.

The box is priceless
but as I see,
The treasure inside
is far more precious to me.