Within our own abodes we will usually feel safe and secure
Doors and windows can be opened or locked as desired
We tend to trust circles of family, friends, and neighbours
There are certain familiarities we understand and allow
Online worlds and communities may seem like friendships
There are recognisable faces which greet each connection
Over the years these links become regular parts of daily life
Friends of friends seek us out trying to get to know us as well
Protocols can be easily set aside once we feel comfortable
There is a serious need to be alert to pretensions and falsities
External images can hide multitudes of craftily devised frauds
Lonely hearts looking for new love can be easily hoodwinked
Catfishing is the use of charm to entice and entrap a victim
Capturing secrets and details by which extortion can follow
It is as distasteful as phishing whereby one’s identity is stolen
Perpetrators gain access to personal and financial information
Whilst it is so easy to reach far beyond our home environment
There is a need for extreme vigilance within this online world
Being alert to the authenticity of interactions and friendships...
Doors and windows can be opened or locked as desired
We tend to trust circles of family, friends, and neighbours
There are certain familiarities we understand and allow
Online worlds and communities may seem like friendships
There are recognisable faces which greet each connection
Over the years these links become regular parts of daily life
Friends of friends seek us out trying to get to know us as well
Protocols can be easily set aside once we feel comfortable
There is a serious need to be alert to pretensions and falsities
External images can hide multitudes of craftily devised frauds
Lonely hearts looking for new love can be easily hoodwinked
Catfishing is the use of charm to entice and entrap a victim
Capturing secrets and details by which extortion can follow
It is as distasteful as phishing whereby one’s identity is stolen
Perpetrators gain access to personal and financial information
Whilst it is so easy to reach far beyond our home environment
There is a need for extreme vigilance within this online world
Being alert to the authenticity of interactions and friendships...
Eileen T O’Neill 08/02/2024
So true, Eileen. The online world has brought many wonderful things, some true friendships. But there are also dangers that people have to be watchful of. The internet and social media are blessings in some ways, but each can be a curse as well if one is not on guard!
ReplyDeleteYou have laid out the perils of online life for sure, Eileen. There is so much darkness on the web. I feel fortunate that the friendships I have maintained online since 2010 are solid, and I have not yet fallen prey to trolls, remarkable actually over that many years.
ReplyDelete"There is a serious need to be alert to pretensions and falsities" and thus comings and goings to the safety of home need to be well considered. I have to admit, I like the first safe half of this poem the best.
ReplyDeleteTrue... one has to be cautious.. but as others have commented...am so grateful for the friends I made in the poetry blogging world over the last 10 years.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad we can't trust other people--it does make for a more closed and poorer life. And yet, as you say, one must be cautious.
ReplyDeleteI love your unique take on the prompt Eileen. I am really grateful for the wonderful friendship we have made through poetry blogging. But, Yes we do need to be alert while being online as internet abounds with fraudsters.
ReplyDeleteTrue....one must be careful on the internet. Poetry bloggers of longstanding years are reasonably safe.
ReplyDelete