I wrote this poem about an IRC community but I imagine it can probably be applied to many internet communities that we're a part of here inside of our glowing idiot boxes.
I had hoped to gather friends,
and fill my days with chats.
I'd hoped to achieve pleasant ends,
and sit and chew the fats.
With friends from 'round the globe I'd talk,
and topics we would probe and gawk!
We, the people in the box.
I learned a great too many things,
from We, here in the box.
That words can hurt worse than bee stings,
It seemed as though that We had learned,
Some hatred flung, some insults burned,
some curt and careless blurts.
Our friendship keeps right on enduring,
the petty fights and fuss.
Inside the box we keep immuring,
Us within, sometimes maturing,
sometimes adjusting, but never curing,