Andrea - A Poem

A Tribute to Andrea Gibson

My namesake
A name I once forswore; for having been told it meant “Womanly”
Little did I know it’s roots
Aner, Andros
Masculine, Strong.
Yet, gifted with an edge of femeninity.
An amalgamation of both sexes and of none.
How fitting.
To just be ourselves.
A name to symbolize fortitude, resilience, inner-strength.
Oh, How you embodied it.

Oh Andrea.
The first time I heard you read poetry,
I gasped
As if I was drowning and your words gave me life.
The Cosmos exploded from your lips.
Caressing my soul with the whispers of your longing
And you said.
Little one,
you are not alone.
I am with you.
Your grief has a home with me.

When I was fraught with pain,
Your words leapt from the screen and said
There is hope;
You are strong;
I love you.

Andrea
An inspiration.
Where now there is a void that your presence once filled.
You taught me how to fall deeply in love with a stranger.
I’m thankful for all the sunrises and sunsets we shared
That we breathed the same air.
That we called the same mountains home.

I can place my feet inside the footsteps that you left in your wake.
But I could never fill your shoes.
Andrea,
I’m so proud to share my name with you.

© Andrea Curran All Rights Reserved

Authors Note:

I first came across Andrea Gibson as many of us did, through their viral poetry. I can’t remember the first poem I heard them recite but I do remember how it made me feel. I felt seen for the first time in a very very long time. Without their poetry I would not be here sharing my poetry today. I’ll never forget seeing them reading from a book at a poetry reading and realizing that you didn’t “HAVE” to remember your poems to read them at open mics. This poem was the first poem I wrote and read at an open mic a little under a year ago that was held to honor Andrea after their passing from cancer. If you want to learn more about their story, and their poetry their love megan falley has continued to keep their light shining through grief and I’m so grateful for that!

Last night I was honored to attend the world premier of Love Letter from the Afterlife. A Sundance film covering their final performance. It was a fitting and beautiful tribute.

Enjoy this post? Here’s some others you may enjoy!

Pink Lemonade

Flames of Renewal

Or, stop by the Library to find something by genre!

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I’ll leave the light on for you! Much Love — Andy