For you, CONCH-L friends....
 
  On Line Friends
 
 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 a 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've all been there before,
 A time or two, just like you".
 
 We know the ups, the down,
 The highs, the lows,
 The "I-could-kill-that-so-n-so's".
 The pain and strain,
 Of getting through
 The leave-takings without adieu.
 
 We've seen it all, the been-theres done-thats,
 We've worn all the different hats,
 That makes us each uniquely "us",
 And when we want to make a fuss,
 We come online and find
 The equalizers,
 The friends, who become our sympathizers,
 Who know,
 And feel,
 And wish,
 And pray,
 When you both know there is nothing more to say - -
 But an online friend
 Will say it anyway."
 
Sylvia in Alabama