It is wonderful when you open up your pc line

And find someone has greeted you just fine

By sending an e-mail or posting stuff on walls

To remind you they care, and some - even call



However, as you continue with your clear pursuit

There are times you DO feel nobody gives a hoot 

As for the first time in months you've been home

All day, working around the house and all alone



Working on preparation of manuscript for submission

Staying off of the phone-line 'cause of the mission

And even so you've had hardly any connection at all

The phone's never rung once, so you begin to dawdle



And wonder if you'll have anyone left once you're back on

For Net Connections are only that, and never as strong

As true friendships, which do tend to go that extra mile

For they call regularly to flash you their phone smile



Not to keep you from doing and and all of your good work 

But just to let you know they wanted to give you a perk

And warm the lonesome cockles which do cry from your heart

Out their tunes of hunger and thirst as they do impart



Their own lilt, which is colored with tints and many hues

Some of which are strained a bit from bathing in the blues

But which also are honed with a keen edge which does spark

When true friends do call to inform you they hear the lark.



- Tristram