Last year while I was attending SUNY Geneseo, I had the opportunity to see the Elephant Engine Highdive Revival with Buddy Wakefield, Andrea Gibson and Derrick Brown. I was 100% (Well, I originally typed 1200%, so we'll go with that) I was 1200% captivated and moved by the poetry of all three of them, and each of them reduced me to tears on multiple occasions, and I knew I had never before seen such amazing people, and I was hooked.
The other day, I was sitting around thinking about just how much I loved listening to the poetry of those three, and how mega awesome it would be if they returned to Geneseo. Lo and behold, I was ecstatic to see on Buddy's status that he at least was returning. Unfortunately, I left Geneseo last November, the end of my first (and only) semester there because my mom had a double bypass. So, I came all the way from Rochester, a good 40 minute drive, just to see you guys. And once again, I was encompassed in the most powerful thing I have ever seen. I sat there in the crowd hoping you guys never saw the tears I shed, because you guys make me realize what life is all about. Struggling with depression, thoughts of suicide, and self hate disappear for a night and I re-learn why I'm still alive. But specifically, I want to thank you. I'm fairly sure you get letters like this all the time, and there's a chance that you won't read this. But your poems, like your letter to Neil Armstrong, or just "I Like You," made me realize that there's someone out there to love me, like I can't love myself.
I know this is all useless information from some stranger, but it's made me rethink the relationship I'm in with my boyfriend and with myself. But all I'm trying to say, is thank you. And I hope to see you perform again, because you too, have changed my life.
Michael Matthew McGee October 12 at 12:50pm Report
None of this is useless, Ashley. You wrote it because you feel a connection with what me and my fellow poets have to say. We're real, regular people. Maybe we're a little more in tune with emotion and connection than most dudes, but you wrote to me because there is hope that I would connect with you beyond the stage. It is my duty to do so. We need this.
I am so deeply honored that you would reach out to me. So very much of what I do is so that strangers might see something in each other that is familiar and familial. None of us are so different from each other that we cannot connect somehow.
I am so very glad you came back to Geneseo for our show. Let's keep in touch. Thank you for your message. It means so very much to me.
Truly,
Mike McGee
Ashley Phillipps October 12 at 1:07pm
Mike, thank you so much for getting back to me. I just sat here for like 20 minutes just in total shock that you replied to me so, so quickly. And I at this point feel like I'm out of words. I just cried my eyes out to Buddy's Crowbirds at Mockingbars, and I'm just rendered speechless by all of this. I guess all I can say is thank you, again. I really, really appreciate it.
-Ashley
Michael Matthew McGee October 12 at 1:08pm Report
You are most welcome.
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