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On Instagram, I am sick of almost everything and everyone.
But there is exactly one good thing about Instagram.
It isPatti Smiths account.
Its not all that radical an endeavor, on paper: She takes photos, she writes captions.
She honors birthdays, anniversaries, friends living and long gone.
She posts dispatches from her travels and tours.
Sometimes she just writes about her setlists or her beloved detective shows.
But its different when she does it.
Youre performing even when youre not performing.
But no offense to science Pattis account is a quiet refutation of this law of quantum mechanics.
Her writing is so much more than the app calls for or deserves.
Stumbling
the ancient
cobblestone
streets
where
the children
Of Shakespeare
loved and wept.
Worlds are created, torn down,
yet we abide.
Now turning our
thoughts to humankind and
the needs of our children and
our precious earth.
Patti writes her poetry in the caption text.
I dont quite know why this is better, but it is.
Emily was said to
possess the eyes of a half tamed
creature.
Happy birthday Emily Bronte
now truly unfettered, may your cup
runneth over.
The blaring neon LIKE ME of it all.
I come across her posts and its like a birthday card in a pile of bills.
to How do you deal with evil?
to Have your own songs ever made you cry whilst performing them onstage?
with generosity and care, and without an intermediary.
(it’s possible for you to ask me anything, he told fans.
There will be no moderator.
This will be between you and me.
Lets see what happens.)
Cave began his column in September 2018.
Patti joined Instagram a bit earlier, in March of that year.
Just as I hesitate to tell you my favorite thing about this favorite thing: Her DMs are open.
Anyone could just reach out to her and maybe she would read it and write back.
(Right now, shes soliciting feedback on her new memoir,Year of the Monkey.)
Even you or me.
I havent, but I could.
I am just trying to figure out the right thing to say.
But knowing it is theoretically possible has delighted me for months.
Im writing this on my birthday.
