Oh. There aren't enough notebooks to contain the tally marks for the number of times the gift of your words have been my compass away from what I'm convinced every time is an inescapable loneliness. I can't wait to see you read in Denver, I bought myself a ticket the day after I came out at 37 as a gift to myself. I'll be the one sobbing in the front row.
Possible titles that come to mind after my fourth read:
We should all gather together! I'm flying in from Orange County, Ca. So looking forward to seeing Andrea and being around a tribe of like-minded souls.
Well said! I couldn’t agree more! Some of my family members think I’m morbid, but I do think that by focusing on the fact that none of us are getting out of here alive, can really enhance your actual life on the planet. Quality of life seems to be very connected to self-awareness, in my experience.
Oh my. Sadness streaming down my face as I selfishly hope that you’ll be alive longer than me while I take in the weight of your words. I want to stomp my foot and shake my fist at the sky, “But I only just now crossed your path!”
I reread your beautiful words and understand more deeply that the shorter the days, the more precious they are. My wish for you is that you feel all the love coming from those random folks who’s lives you have touched.
I’m dealing with a mystery illness which has me contemplating mortality more than I ever have. The “balloon” of presence is one of the greatest gifts that’s come from this. Each moment sparkles. Thank you for this piece, you captured so many feelings in a bottle I’ll cherish and revisit often ❤️
Thank you Andrea for sharing your heart, love, grief, and joy with us. I read your poem three times, getting filled with its fullness each time.
There are so many possible titles for this amazing piece of work. One that I’ve kind of settled on is “My First Time Here”. Much love to you. May your healing journey be a sweet one. I know it will be.
I’ve often joked that while reincarnation might be a thing, I’m pretty sure it’s my first time but I’ve always considered this through the negative, that I’m constantly shocked and horrified. The flip side is being shocked by all of the good, which is to be in awe if you can wake up to it. Andrea’s words always help me remarry and become the bride to amazement.
Listening to you read while looking at the words is a full on sensory bath. I love the way you wake me up. I love the way you inspire me to write, to be, to live, to see, to pause. Thank you for sharing. Love.
My Brother (my only sibling) passed 3/5/2024. My Beloved Cat of 17 years I had to put to sleep 1/1/2024 in the evening. My Father passed 8/5/2021. I’ve been feeling pretty lousy about Life that’s it’s all Bull Shit. Except for animals, nature, art, music, laughter, people we love, falling in Love. Great food and my sobriety . I had a Visitation dream from my Brother about a week after he passed. He looked wonderful, a large white color, bright calm was behind him surrounded by him. He told me “I’m ok, I’m ok, ….his calmness and happiness came through his peace not so much with his words but feeling….I could feel it. We hugged I told him “I miss you I’m going to miss you”, he just smiled with reassurance and Love. I know this was not a dream it was much more. Thank You Andrea for your beautiful poems , listening helped me “go back to my dream “ just now.
You are so Welcome, I feel so good that you took the time to read/ and write back to me. Honestly your poetry gives me happiness, and makes me feel “un alone…. How amazing You and Tig on stage together !
Thank you so much for sharing about your recent losses, and for detailing your dream here with us, Susan. I have recently taken deep fascination with our dreams and the symbology within them. Something I learned this week that I think most of us already "know" but need to be reminded is that our dreams don't always speak to us in the Literal/plain-English. Our Dreams speak to us through feelings. Your brother knew exactly how to tell you he was okay- through that loving and calm feeling. <3 How special.
This poem moved me to tears as so many of your poems do. Thank u thank u thank u🙏I’m trying to think what to name it, it’s such an important life giving lesson…something with “Awe” in the title I think? I want everyone in my family to read this especially my son who suffers from mental health issues. Thank u for shining this light 🖤💫
Awe Fuck? A bridge too far maybe. Like cancer. Or Parkinson’s. Or other god-defying mysteries that also affirm the sacredness of everything, of anything.
I'm sharing with all my ministerial colleagues because we always need those words about befriending our mortality. So spectacular, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you for sharing this exquisite poem. The title I suggest is "The Holiday of Having a Body". My own experience with cancer has taught me how to celebrate my body, a body that in the past I didn't trust, was overly critical of and then when I had my diagnosis, I felt like my body had betrayed me. All that has changed. Everyday, I wake, and am grateful for the wakening. Like today, there is your poem, a gift I keep reading again and again.
Oh. There aren't enough notebooks to contain the tally marks for the number of times the gift of your words have been my compass away from what I'm convinced every time is an inescapable loneliness. I can't wait to see you read in Denver, I bought myself a ticket the day after I came out at 37 as a gift to myself. I'll be the one sobbing in the front row.
Possible titles that come to mind after my fourth read:
I lost my wrinkle collection can I borrow yours?
One Size Fits Awe
I love this and I love ONE SIZE FITS AWE!
I’ll be in the front row sobbing with you - I changed my flight so I can be in Denver on my birthday as a gift to myself. ♥️
As one who found herself at 48, I’ll be sobbing in the row behind you. We should all gather after to celebrate this incredible gift from Andrea!
We should all gather together! I'm flying in from Orange County, Ca. So looking forward to seeing Andrea and being around a tribe of like-minded souls.
Yes! I’m coming from CBUS, OH and I’m going to NEED someone to chat with after this amazing show!
Same!! Would love to connect.
Amazing titles. Have a great time.
Brevity
Name it Brevity.
Thank you for sharing this. My life is so full of love and wonder yet I turn the shoulder to the days, as you say, looking for tomorrow.
I need to be here today. Tomorrow is never promised.
🩷
BEAUTIFUL
ooooh I love this! "Brevity"...
‘You can only marry life by dating death’
WOW!
Well said! I couldn’t agree more! Some of my family members think I’m morbid, but I do think that by focusing on the fact that none of us are getting out of here alive, can really enhance your actual life on the planet. Quality of life seems to be very connected to self-awareness, in my experience.
I know this is a title for Andrea's piece, but Please PLEASE write more about this. It is so powerful. <3
Oh my. Sadness streaming down my face as I selfishly hope that you’ll be alive longer than me while I take in the weight of your words. I want to stomp my foot and shake my fist at the sky, “But I only just now crossed your path!”
I reread your beautiful words and understand more deeply that the shorter the days, the more precious they are. My wish for you is that you feel all the love coming from those random folks who’s lives you have touched.
Unbridle Your Awe
thank you so so much for these kind words
“cul de sac of mortality”
I’m dealing with a mystery illness which has me contemplating mortality more than I ever have. The “balloon” of presence is one of the greatest gifts that’s come from this. Each moment sparkles. Thank you for this piece, you captured so many feelings in a bottle I’ll cherish and revisit often ❤️
thank you for your gorgeous words
“Each Moment Sparkles” 🌞
Beautiful.
I would call it ‘Lifelines’
Love that title idea!
So many wonderful title possibilities from your gorgeous work ❤️
This poem represents everything to me about the question you’ve quoted from your therapist: “What If This Is Perfect?” 💚
It’s beautiful, Andrea, thank you
thank you for reminding me about that perfect question!
Thank you Andrea for sharing your heart, love, grief, and joy with us. I read your poem three times, getting filled with its fullness each time.
There are so many possible titles for this amazing piece of work. One that I’ve kind of settled on is “My First Time Here”. Much love to you. May your healing journey be a sweet one. I know it will be.
I love FIRST TIME HERE
I’ve often joked that while reincarnation might be a thing, I’m pretty sure it’s my first time but I’ve always considered this through the negative, that I’m constantly shocked and horrified. The flip side is being shocked by all of the good, which is to be in awe if you can wake up to it. Andrea’s words always help me remarry and become the bride to amazement.
Mortal Small Talk
Listening to you read while looking at the words is a full on sensory bath. I love the way you wake me up. I love the way you inspire me to write, to be, to live, to see, to pause. Thank you for sharing. Love.
Mortal Small Talk is awesome!
Her voice is so incredibly soothing even while waking us up.
Ditto!
My Brother (my only sibling) passed 3/5/2024. My Beloved Cat of 17 years I had to put to sleep 1/1/2024 in the evening. My Father passed 8/5/2021. I’ve been feeling pretty lousy about Life that’s it’s all Bull Shit. Except for animals, nature, art, music, laughter, people we love, falling in Love. Great food and my sobriety . I had a Visitation dream from my Brother about a week after he passed. He looked wonderful, a large white color, bright calm was behind him surrounded by him. He told me “I’m ok, I’m ok, ….his calmness and happiness came through his peace not so much with his words but feeling….I could feel it. We hugged I told him “I miss you I’m going to miss you”, he just smiled with reassurance and Love. I know this was not a dream it was much more. Thank You Andrea for your beautiful poems , listening helped me “go back to my dream “ just now.
Oh I know it was much more than a dream too, Susan! Thank you so much for sharing.
You are so Welcome, I feel so good that you took the time to read/ and write back to me. Honestly your poetry gives me happiness, and makes me feel “un alone…. How amazing You and Tig on stage together !
I’m sending a healing hug of Peace and Calm.
Susan
Boston Ma.
Thank you so much for sharing about your recent losses, and for detailing your dream here with us, Susan. I have recently taken deep fascination with our dreams and the symbology within them. Something I learned this week that I think most of us already "know" but need to be reminded is that our dreams don't always speak to us in the Literal/plain-English. Our Dreams speak to us through feelings. Your brother knew exactly how to tell you he was okay- through that loving and calm feeling. <3 How special.
Sending love, and the sweetest of Dreams.
Xx
Worth reading over and over, maybe daily until I depart:
The Seed of Love.
The poem names itself.
The Seed Of Love is beautiful
Yes, I was thinking The Seed of True Love. Tears while you read, and will read again and again.
So many good things to respond to here, but I'll leave it at this: Andrea AND Tig?!? What a miraculous combo.
It feels like a miracle to me too!
I can't think of a more fantastic duo.
I love this poem. I was struck by your sign-off: Thank you for being here! Which felt like the name of this poem.
This poem moved me to tears as so many of your poems do. Thank u thank u thank u🙏I’m trying to think what to name it, it’s such an important life giving lesson…something with “Awe” in the title I think? I want everyone in my family to read this especially my son who suffers from mental health issues. Thank u for shining this light 🖤💫
Awe Fuck? A bridge too far maybe. Like cancer. Or Parkinson’s. Or other god-defying mysteries that also affirm the sacredness of everything, of anything.
I'm sharing with all my ministerial colleagues because we always need those words about befriending our mortality. So spectacular, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you for sharing this exquisite poem. The title I suggest is "The Holiday of Having a Body". My own experience with cancer has taught me how to celebrate my body, a body that in the past I didn't trust, was overly critical of and then when I had my diagnosis, I felt like my body had betrayed me. All that has changed. Everyday, I wake, and am grateful for the wakening. Like today, there is your poem, a gift I keep reading again and again.
This is a gorgeous sharing. thank you.