Losing an Internet Friend - Permanently

Today I signed on to the Internet to do some unwanted tasks. Specifically, it was to pay some bills via online banking. But before I could get on to that task I was caught by a posting of some pictures of a friend I met on the Internet some 3 years ago via one of those online war games where you play as a team. The person posting mentioned to send more pictures to be used in the funeral. Was this another one of those English wit things that I had to work at to understand better? No because I discovered that my friend did indeed pass away this week after I searched his Facebook page in detail.

This is what he wrote about himself as a bio to help support his poem that he wrote that he wanted me to help him with in his writing efforts. Somehow he felt that I was some sort of expert in writing but I think it had more to do with the fact that I am three times his age. He had respect for other people no matter their age though, as I found out in many more online conversations which was the only communication we ever had. We never actually physically met since he lived in the United Kingdom and I lived in Canada.

"Name Oliver Clark, 17 years of age, studies English Lit at Framwellgate Moor Sixth form. Has no previous achievement in writing although writes for pleasure. He is Dyslexic. Hobbies include Writing, Reading, Music and Historic studies with which he is fascinated and spends time where he isn't doing what 16 year old boys do, researching and furthering his knowledge, shows a certain interest in the Roman history and he Greek Diplomacy and politics which modern day societies like USA are based. "

A poem by Ollie

Sonnets of our loves

I sit and watch two doves

As they sing together sonnets of their loves

A sound so dreadfully sweet

Tells of how their hearts were broken

When they thought true love they'd meet

And now their pain is spoken

I sit and watch two doves

And weep over sonnets of their loves

The bond they share so tightly

Is obvious when they sing

Reminds me of when our friendship was mighty

And we told eachohter everything

I remember when we were like two doves

And sang together sonnets of our loves

But the doomed, inevitably, happened

The ripping apart of a perfect partnership,

Spinning lost between emotions;

Love and hate, Friendship and Lust,

Taken with on lethal thrust

And now…I hear these two doves

And I long to hear sonnets of your loves"

I learned from Ollie that you can achieve a lot with hard work. His efforts to overcome Dyslexia showed in almost everything he did and touched. And he did touch a lot of people as all the entries on his Facebook page proved. He loved and was loved in return.

And now one of the doves has passed at the early age of 19. It would have been better that he lived longer but he most definitely left his mark in many hearts. I expect it will be a very large crowd at his funeral. Some of us just wish we could have physically met him but have been touched by him nevertheless.

The Internet can have meaning at times. Ollie, you proved that for sure. Rest in Peace my friend. The bills didn’t seem to be so important anymore.