Andrea Gibson
Musicality in words
Andrea Gibson, poet laureate, died yesterday from ovarian cancer.
If you've never experienced their poetry, please permit me to share a favorite. There are many favorites, which is the opposite definition of that word, but whatever. This is a favorite. This was recorded before they were diagnosed.
Like many others who gobbled up/immersed themselves/couldn’t get enough of their work, I am bereft with grief. I do not think this is a parasocial thing. Instead, I think it's a recognition of a person doing Their Art so completely committedly that I recognized that quality within myself as familiarly as if we were siblings and it was a trait we naturally shared, and so I felt validated to go for it fully as they did.
They did what they were born to do, and by being in that force field, I felt I was given permission—in an “Of course!” way—to follow suit.
I never knew words could be coupled and trebled and quadrupled and arranged in such alchemic ways. The musicality behind the artful arrangement of her words, as Amy Tan would say, is pleasantly and relentlessly jarring and soothing, all at once.
Andrea Gibson, I am so glad you exist. Your presence will always be a blessing.
