ON BEING ONLINE
 

Out there in the world,
where bees sting and people hurt,
where you can see in the mirror,
who you really are..

Out there in reality,
with bills in the mail,
food burning on the stove,
and a tire that needs air...

Out there where you are,
in your world of hurt and pain,
with all the reminders,
of all you can't win...

Out there your mask doesn't fit,
there is no one to fool,
there is no one so vulnerable,
as those who are online.

Here is where you become boss,
and fantasy becomes you,
you are what you dream,
and you can hide from the real.

Here you can say what you want,
here you can answer only,
what you want, when you want,
or don't answer at all.

Here you can promise,
and afterwards discard,
here you can cut and paste,
promises to everyone.

Here you can ignore,
what you don't want to deal with,
and string someone along,
as if they weren't real.

For all you can't be,
in your real world,
you bring here,
this is fantasy.

How many are the same,
online as they are offline,
how many are sincere,
about typed VS spoken words?

I've found all sorts,
many quite real,
many quite caring, but scared,
many quite cold and spiteful.

I've read all sorts,
many quite sincere,
many who confronted,
don't write anymore.

Out there in the world,
you can be lost in your busy,
hiding as days fly by,
while you leave things unanswered.

Out there in the world,
you can go through your paces,
follow your routine,
no one asks any questions.

Out there in the world,
you can be absorbed in pettiness,
you can remain under thumb,
you can pretend you have no choice.

While here online,
you may be asked,
you may be awakened,
you may be confronted.
 

©Written by: Ed Kassirer
August 23, 2001