Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

Chain Mail

When I was a girl,
Every once in a while,
I’d receive in the mail,
Because that was the style,

A letter to copy
And send to a name
At the top of a list,
Which in that letter came.

When you copied the note,
You’d add your own address
To the list, while deleting
The top one. Success

Came when after some days
You’d receive quite a slew
Of the letters, from strangers,
Delivered to you.

If you followed the rules,
You would have some good luck.
If you didn’t, without it,
I guess you’d be stuck.

The letters back then
Needed stamps and were mailed
And the fun part was knowing
That you had prevailed.

Now my granddaughter sent me
A chain in a text:
“Sent to 15 new people
Or what happens next

Will be lots of bad luck
For 3 years if you don’t.
If you do, you will get
A new phone.” (No, I won’t.)

“You will also be getting
The pet of your dreams.
Everybody will love you!”
I guess that’s how it seems

To the youth of today,
But with this kind of chain,
As I wrote to my granddaughter,
I will refrain.

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Jerry Brotherton February 23, 2026 at 5:34 PM Ilene, I remember those chain letters. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Best wishes, Yours truly Jerry

Yann Rolland February 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM we had the same in my country, don't believe that stuff, except for good hope, very interesting poetry, thanks

Jan Allison February 23, 2026 at 2:15 PM what memories and love the humour too Ilene, I remember those chain mails and there were also ones where you were 'required' to send on money! hugs Jan xx