08/01/2026
I just finished this astoundingly beautiful documentary about the spoken word poet Andrea Gibson. A story of love and bravery that had me not just in tears, but in a desire to do better with this precious gift of life, even as the world is burning.
I vaguely remember seeing them performing in Portland, Oregon a very long time ago. But the sound of their poetry is long gone from my ears, so hearing it again tonight was a heartfelt tug in the right direction.
I left the USA 14 years ago after Chinese Medicine school, traveling to Asian and ending up in South America deepening my study of plants. Due to events in my life paving the way for hidden stories living inside me, waiting to be heard, I ended up staying in Peru.
Watching this documentary I pondered the love of craft versus love of a partner. How I long to find a love even a quarter of depth these two bright beings carried, yet I live here. Waiting. Wishing. Sadly aware that it is not my time yet, praying for the person to find me hidden in the Valley as I carry out my sentence in purgatory.
This is not a place teeming with le***an or q***r love, friendship, or community. Sure I have lovely friends and a house for of animals, a son growing into a teenager…but I long for my community. Those who understand the struggles it has (and still does) taken us to be seen, heard, felt, and published. Not just to trade war stories but to lift one another up, cheer each other on.
I mainline content like it is going out of style, yet missing references of happenings that I cannot keep up with. How amazing there is so much content available to us! How proud I am to watch this documentary, or a comedy show, or TV series hit?!!
In this documentary, a light shaped into the title of my favorite, and hands down most romantic song ever, “This must be the place”, reminding me that what I desire most is on its way. A life of love as deep as these two had/have if I just open myself up to the good light.
Thanks for this.
In the heaviness of late, I feel lighter with possibility and inspiration.