I tried Twitter years ago, but it didn’t really stick. I didn’t get it. This time round, I took to it with a purpose – mainly poetry connections. And then I left work and Covid happened, and Twitter spread to fill the place that work had left behind. Not fully, obviously, but those inconsequential chats and slightly lame jokes transferred from the kitchen area to Twitter very easily. It turns out that’s how you make connections. I have an international feed – USA, Germany, New Zealand, India, Ireland. I see beautiful birds and Middle Eastern flowers. I see vintage dresses and Star Wars GIFS. I get little lifts.
I curate. Oh, I curate madly. I’m after bursts of pleasure, I’m after people reaching out to comfort, I’m after moments of beauty. A couple of times I’ve asked for a boost, and I’ve been boosted (thank you). And I’ve boosted others. Twitter has spilled over into real life – I’ve had post-cards and Zoom calls. I’ve found workshops and poetry readings and projects. If you’re reading this because you found the Twitter link – thank you! You’ve enriched my life.
Yeah, bullshit. Yeah, arguments. Yeah, politics. Hard to avoid and (oh so) hard to resist. But, you know, I get that in real life, too. It’s not nice (though sometimes it’s fun) – but, you know what, I’ve had some interesting conversations with people with differing points of view, and it’s been OK. It would be nice,obviously, if everybody agreed with me, but even I realise that’s not realistic.
A mixed bag, then, but overall, a love. I’m a bit worried at the moment that everybody I enjoy interacting with is going to leave Twitter because of recent ownership developments. That would be a loss. Those little sparks of beauty and kindness are so lovely. I’d hate to lose them.
fantasticmetastaticme 
Twitter’s a great form of communication and discovery!
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