Internet Dependency

 

 

Can you remember a time

When there was no Internet?

When there were long queues to battle

And patrons were vexed?

 

Especially on paydays

When the queues were extra long

And you took time off from work

Or when lunchtime bound?

 

I remember as a teacher

Early each payday morning

I would be standing outside the bank

Awaiting its opening.

 

On being dispatched

I would quickly head to school

In my attempt to be an example

In not breaking my rule.

 

The rule to be punctual

That I had taught my pupils

Since I felt to be chronically unpunctual

Was also an evil.

 

Do not shoot me down,

That was just how I felt

And regarding people and their time

That’s how I dealt.

 

 

 

But the time did come

When the Internet arrived

And today in most business ventures

Online is the drive.

 

Cheques are moving out

And we do business online

And this saves not only a lot of effort

But also saves time.

 

Less paper and stamps

As letters turn to emails,

And now we chat on WhatsApp, etc.,

Without fail.

 

 

 

We order from overseas

And we pay online

And when everything goes right

Parcels arrive on time.

 

Online text, voice and video

Most of us enjoy,

Not to mention the many gadgets

We now have as toys.

 

Little ones and even adults

Exercise their thumbs

As they play games on the Internet

For their daily runs.

 

 

 

And when Wi-Fi drops out

We are the proverbial fish

That wriggles and squirms around

With a singular wish.

 

Oh, for that water of life

That we call the Internet!

When it is up and running properly

All our needs are met.

 

Since we have at our disposal

The World-Wide-Web,

Books are decreasing alarmingly

As like spiders we’re fed.

 

 

 

Whatever we want to know

We can now turn to AI,

Artificial Intelligence is the bomb

Whether truth or lie.

 

We don’t have to think,

AI can do everything for us

And soon AI will become the god

We believe in and trust.

 

Don’t make light, I adjure you,

Of the preceding verse,

It is surely where we are headed

And for what we thirst. 

 

 

 

It is a dependency

That is becoming more stark

And sometimes I can’t help but feel

It is getting dark.

 

Can you remember a time

When there was no Internet?

Well, there are still long queues online

And patrons are vexed.

 

Stewart Russell © September 29, 2025

 

Be An Example

 

Be an example come what may

Be an example each and every day

Be an example in all that you say

Be an example in what you portray

Be an example in the home and in the throng

Be an example as you walk along

Be an example in the Word and song

Be an example for whom you belong

Be an example when thing don’t go your way

Be an example when skies are grey

Be an example when losing at play

Be an example and keep the devil at bay

Be an example in the up and the down

Be an example wherever you may be found

Be an example at school and all around

Be an example, show you’re heaven bound

Be an example in the form room

Be an example in the way you are groomed

Be an example when all around is gloom

Be an example, Jesus is coming soon

Be an example of the believer

Be an example of a Christ like receiver

Be an example not a deceiver

Be an example of the stress reliever

Be an example of the born again

Be an example whether it’s sun or rain

Be an example; don’t take God’s name in vain

Be an example of the spiritually sane

Be an example be alert and be bright

Be an example, always doing what is right

Be an example every day and every night

Be an example of the faithful in life’s fight

Be an example like Bible stalwarts have been

Be an example when seen and unseen

Be an example; let this be your dream

Be an example of whom Jesus has redeemed

Be an example for the youth

Be an example and a witness of the Truth

Be an example, be God’s advertising booth

Be an example with your life as the proof

Stewart Russell © 2016

 Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an example of the believers,

in word, in conversation, in charity,

in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1Timothy 4:12