A Meeting of Old Friends

Here I sit on pins and needles

Waiting to meet an old friend

For the first time.

Though I feel we’ve known

Each other forever

In this digital age

Of instant communication.

We have spoken for years;

Talked of hopes and dreams

Shared our victories, our fears.

Truly we have become close

Across the many miles

Despite never having seen

Each others frowns, our smiles.

Now I’ve taken the plunge

Got in my car and driven for hours

To meet this old friend

For the first time.

He’ll be here soon.

Do I look all right?

Am I too short? Too tall?

Should I dress casual? Comfortable?

Do we actually have anything in common?

Though we’ve spent hours

Through many long nights

Talking of everything

From kids to jobs to the state of the world

I have no idea what to say.

When I was young we had pen pals.

Our teachers set us up with a

Person from another culture, country.

Told us to write about our lives.

To learn from each other.

Share stories of our families,

Our country, states, cities.

But those letters were weeks between.

Now I can talk on a screen to anyone

Anywhere

Anytime

Instantly

For hours on end.

With some you click

In a digital environment

Of virtual imagination.

Yet, we are hidden…

Our true selves cloaked

Avatars clothed in perfection.

Anonymous in a way,

Even if we bare souls.

Will reality (RL) be the same?

Is this a good idea?

Will I ruin a good thing

By meeting this old friend

For the very first time?