Morning’s glaring light tickles me.

Question

I wake, even and ready for the day.
My phone trills—like a pet, greeting.
A thumb, a swipe, and friends rush in.

A scroll unravels, miles and miles of friends, acquaintances, and looser connections still,
and I drink in their news, their joy, their uncertainty,
their thoughts, and their day’s hopes.
My fingers tap across the screen as I spill my own morning quandaries into the world and then—
a swell of reactions, laughter, jokes, and solidarity
shouting out that I am seen, felt, and heard!
The swell of connection carries me through my morning on a high tide of bliss,
wondering how anyone who lived in the before times managed
the distance between friends and loved ones
without the pure simplicity of pocket-sized accessibility.

Afternoon comes, and
notifications taper.
So little activity, though I refresh.
Low tide, low spirits.
And I wonder if I’ve said something wrong
or if I alone lack purpose beyond my screen.
Still, I scroll—
but nothing changes.

Evening comes and with it a flutter of activity—a spark of controversy that has all atwitter
A piece of news we chew together, rage in sync, in delicious solidarity.
Likes and loves, resentment of a common oppressor.
We surf the wave of emotion together—
posting, sharing, performing for ourselves and each other.
I eat dinner with my thumb on a hot screen in anticipation of the inevitable BING!
And the warmth is tangible, swelling around me like an embrace.
I feel at one with so many.

I post.
Strong words, strong feelings.
Fifteen minutes of silence pass by,
and then . . .
a surge of terror.
Did anyone read what I said?
Do they care?
My vulnerability is exposed
to the void.
The void is silent.
Silence is worse than anything.

I put my phone away and pick up a pen.
I sketch like I used to sketch as a child.
I change the pen for a book, and I read.
Soon, I’m tired, ready for bed, but I see
a red light blinking—a light that perhaps
can wait until tomorrow to claim me.

Multiple Choice Question
How does the structure of the first and last stanzas contribute to the meaning of the poem?

A.
The stanzas show how empty the speaker feels before she begins and after she finishes using social media.

B.
The stanzas show the contrast between how the speaker feels at the beginning and end of the poem.

C.
The stanzas provide an introduction and conclusion to the speaker's explanation of how social media works.

D.
The stanzas have even lines that show the speaker feels more stable when she is away from social media.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

B. The stanzas show the contrast between how the speaker feels at the beginning and end of the poem.

The first stanza depicts a sense of joy and connection as the speaker engages with social media and feels the support and presence of friends. In contrast, the last stanza reveals feelings of emptiness and vulnerability as the speaker experiences silence from her social media interactions, leading her to seek fulfillment in more traditional, solitary activities. This highlights the emotional highs and lows associated with social media use.