The Casual Click

You meet someone online and start passing messages... a few clicks later and you can't pass your screen without checking your inbox...

 

We have not met

I don’t know your face

don’t know your smell

and yet

I know you so very well

 

If we passed on the street

there’d be no recognition

our eyes might meet

but just as quickly

look away

maybe a glimmer

of Déjà vu

a nagging thought

do I know you

something familiar I can’t place

for we have met

though not in the flesh

our minds have explored

hidden depths

we met online

 

Some scoff and question

how can you be sure

you won’t find an axe

murderer at your door

 

We have no need to meet

our relationship is

complete in being incomplete

a hotline, a direct connection

mind to mind

mutual introspection

no shyness, shame, just raw essence

barriers down

no defence

a nameless, faceless fantasy

to punctuate the boredom

routine, the unseen enemy

 

Our exchanges come in bite sized bursts

like co-writing a song

verse by verse

composition, execution

click the send button

insecurity til the absolution

and in this moment while we wait

relishing the gloriousness

of the anticipate

at the mercy of the system’s speed

awaiting the response

like a delayed action tease

delicious though this anticipation

it is accompanied

by a certain frustration

always a fine line it seems

between opposing

emotions, desires, needs

wondering, hoping

did I please

is the dance still on

do we still play the game

am I continuing to flirt with pain

 

I don’t recall the moment

that the casual click

became loaded with intent

I let you in

dropped my guard

you got under my skin

and I don’t know where it will end

but I thank you

for being my internet friend

 

Reviews

[Marquise]

We have no need to meet
Our relationship is
Complete in being incomplete

Whew... I love the intent and direction of the poem, but this very like just blew me away for so many different reasons. Nit only in the Online community is this true, but even in social communities where people could know one another though a common purpose, but it never goes passed that purpose and that whats makes it so complete. you did a very good job explaining online friendships. Its funny, i bet we all wonder whats happening on the other side of the screen....

[Sean Allen]

I'm with Orlando, "The Casual Click" is the best title for this poem of yours, April. I have met so many good friends on the Internet, some a couple of years ago on another site who are now on this site as well. And now just this week I have met you and seen the album that you co wrote with your friend. I think it is wonderful and also brings minds together who might never have met under regular circumstances because of the differences in age between myself and many of my younger and older as well internet friends.

I am going to go and say hello the the other reviewers of this piece right now. I am glad to be getting to know you already and look forward to seeing you again soon April.
sa

[Karma]

I love it :o)

[R J Askew]

lovely...thousands will sign up to every word of this. captures the frisson, the fascination, the novelty, the excitement and the potential of the unknown with hints of danger. 'Punctuate the bordom' and 'that casual click' ... are my favourite phrases. The latter might even make a great title. Ach, that raw essence!