In Imitation of Samuel Johnson:

Our dreaming Race, to mundane Life confined,
Technology, Delight, and Hope entwined;
Thus Thousands to the viscous Web ascend,
There Thousands more obscurely apprehend.
Enthusiasts their own Home Page require,
And cloak their Minds in virtual Attire.
Enraptured Players "here I am" proclaim
Through fluid light, in Portrait and in Name;
Now digitized, their Image they implore
To wink along the growing fibrous Core.
Bold Users cast a Net across the Land,
And piscine Bits they summon at command.
Lurk there no Perils in this snaky Course?
The Virus, subtle Worm, and Trojan Horse,
Mere Technicalities, worse Hazards find;
Elusive Pleasure strong assails the Mind,
Desire outpaces gasping suppliant Hands,
Reluctant Systems foil keen Demands,
Aspiring Thoughts conspiring Limits thwart,
And visionary Schemes slow Mires abort:
Though momentary Troubles be suppressed,
Escape may prove ephemeral at best.

Cristina M. Cervone, Fall 1995, Haverhill, MA.