Andrea Gibson’s writing often delves into the intricate landscape of human emotion, and a piece like “I love. That could be the end of the sentence, but I love sentences…” stands as a powerful, albeit unconventional, amor poem. While not a traditional verse structure dedicated to a single beloved, it functions as a profound expression of love – a deep, wide-ranging affection for the world in its myriad details. This meditation on “amor” expands the definition of a love poem, showcasing love not just as romantic passion, but as a fundamental way of engaging with existence itself.
At its core, this piece is a list, an inventory of affections. The simple, declarative “I love” begins sentence after sentence, creating a rhythm of affirmation. This relentless repetition acts as an anaphora, building momentum and emphasizing the sheer volume and variety of the author’s capacity for love. It transforms the commonplace into the cherished, elevating everyday observations to moments of profound connection. The structure itself mirrors the expansive nature of the amor being described – it refuses to be contained by a single object or traditional form.
The range of things loved is vast and eclectic. It moves effortlessly from the grand (“Titan, Saturn’s largest moon”) to the intensely personal (“my very first crush in the 4th grade”) and the delightfully quirky (“ketchup chips from Canada”). Love is found in nature (“cucumbers straight from the garden,” “mother starlings racing home”), in human quirks and vulnerabilities (“the kids in junior high talent contests who always forget their lines,” “the perfect smiles of people with crooked teeth”), and even in inanimate objects (“old typewriters,” “phone booths in London”). This demonstrates that amor is not exclusive; it is a lens through which the poet views the entire spectrum of life.
{width=2316 height=1575}The piece also highlights love for moments of unexpected beauty and simple pleasures. “Watching people pull over on the side of the road to take pictures of a rainbow,” “the sound of my grumpy neighbor opening his door,” “children realize that the seashells on the beach are free” – these are small instances that, when viewed through the eyes of amor, become significant. This underscores the idea that a capacity for love is not dependent on dramatic events but can be nurtured in the quiet observation of the world. Understanding how seemingly disparate ideas can connect poetically, like the elements of this “Amor Poem,” can sometimes feel like solving rhyming riddles and answers.
Furthermore, the article touches upon more complex forms of love, including empathy and acceptance. “I love the kind kids who have hard lives. I love the mean kids who haven’t yet learned a better way to survive.” This acknowledges the difficulties of life and extends amor even to those who might be challenging, suggesting a deep well of compassion. This expanded view moves beyond personal preference to a more universal embrace.
{width=3021 height=2378}The inclusion of physical sensations and personal experiences grounds the abstract concept of amor in tangible reality. “I love how shocked I was when I realized my Superman cape couldn’t lift me into the sky,” “I love when it’s so cold out I can walk atop the sparkling snow,” “I love trying to jump over puddles and failing.” These specific memories and feelings make the abstract declaration of love relatable and visceral. It’s a reminder that love is experienced through the senses and through personal history. Exploring such varied forms of poetic expression helps one appreciate the depth found in different types of verse, much like solving riddles that rhyme with answers challenges different parts of the mind.
Towards the end, the piece returns to the idea of presence and prioritization. The poet is called away by the sunset, a perfect metaphor for the irresistible pull of the world’s beauty. This reinforces the central theme: amor is not static, but an active engagement with the present moment. The piece concludes by acknowledging the reader, extending this circle of affection outwards and inviting a reciprocal sharing of what is loved. This interactive element reinforces the communal nature of appreciating the world. Pondering the connections and meanings within a piece like this can be as engaging as working through challenging riddle rhymes and answers.
In conclusion, Andrea Gibson’s list of loves serves as a vibrant, modern amor poem. It redefines what a love poem can be, shifting the focus from a singular object of desire to a pervasive state of being – a loving embrace of the entire universe in its messy, beautiful complexity. It is a testament to finding wonder in the everyday, connection in the unexpected, and ultimately, finding profound love simply by opening one’s heart to the world. It encourages readers to look around and ask themselves, “What am I loving today?”