What leads us <br />to those from <br />opposite sides of the world <br />and places them <br />front and center <br />in our lives? <br /> <br />Point...Click...Enter <br />a world where friends are chosen <br />by keyboard characters <br />designing a persona. <br />Personalities are on display. <br />Pick and choose. <br />It's like having a pretend friend <br />to fill those spots <br />of loneliness. <br /> <br />Are Internet friends <br />taking the place <br />of those long lost <br />imaginary friends <br />we were told to say goodbye to <br />years ago? <br /> <br />Do we grasp at kind, <br />caring words <br />in a virtual world? <br />What is lacking in ours <br />that makes us nurture that thread <br />that binds us together <br />strengthening it with confessions <br />and secrets bravely told <br />behind the Internet veil. <br />What do we fear we will lose <br />if that thread breaks? <br />A friend? <br />A possible soulmate? <br />Do we fear the door <br />to friendship will disappear <br />and never be opened again? <br /> <br />The technological world <br />has opened up <br />and given birth <br />to make these friends real. <br />It's the new neighborhood, <br />free of ethnicity, <br />class and six square blocks <br />of territorial safety. <br /> <br />Through lines of high speed connections <br />you are able to rub elbows, <br />hearts and souls with people <br />of all walks of life. <br />You can have coffee <br />with your friend in Africa <br />without leaving your home in America. <br /> <br />And the best part..... <br />there is no dress code <br />in fact...clothes are optional!<br /><br />Mary Nagy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-new-neighborhood-co-written-by-rusty-daily-a/
