Who are REAL people?
Those you can touch?
Those you can love?
Those you can trust?
Those who understand?
Those you can hold?
For I've been told that REAL people
Are not "here".
The people "here" are mere phantoms...
Nothing more than figments of my imagination,
Brought to life on this flickering screen.
But....are they?

I've reached out....
In times of trouble....
In times of hurt....
In times of joy...
And "they" WERE here!

Perhaps I couldn't physically touch them....
Or physically feel the warmth and comfort
of their embrace.
Nonetheless, their presence was with me....
Holding me....
Soothing me....
Helping me....
Showing me true love, friendship and caring.

And the supposed REAL people?
Where are they?
Where is their call?
Where is their solace?
It has been sadly lacking.

So, to all the "not so real people" here....
YOU are the REAL ones in life!
YOU are the ones with hearts as big as Mother Earth.
YOU ARE ALWAYS HERE!
I celebrate your presence!
I relish and cherish the connections of mind and heart.
And I KNOW now....YOU ARE REAL!

Anne M. DeVille
March 10, 1998