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.

Two-Part Question
Multiple Choice Question
The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A:

What BEST explains the source of the speaker's social media lows?

A.
cruel comments

B.
self-doubt

C.
infuriating posts

D.
self-loathing
Multiple Choice Question
Part B:

Which lines from the text BEST support the answer to part A?
.

B.
And I wonder if I’ve said something wrong / or if I alone lack purpose beyond my screen.

C.
Likes and loves, anger at a common enemy. / We surf the wave of emotion together—

D.
I post. / Strong words, strong feelings.

Answer 1

Part A:

The BEST explanation for the source of the speaker's social media lows is:

B. self-doubt

Part B:

The lines from the text that BEST support the answer to part A are:

B. And I wonder if I’ve said something wrong / or if I alone lack purpose beyond my screen.

These lines express the speaker's self-reflection and uncertainty about their worth and purpose in relation to social media interactions, highlighting feelings of self-doubt.