ANDREA
by Marie Elena
A people-person and poet,
she learned to write
in a language not her own.
Alone, and on a small Danish island,
she yearned to connect.
To greet poetic kin.
In time, she braved the barriers
of language and space,
embraced globe and all therein.
Within her lay a yearning.
A burning desire to know You.
To believe in Your existence.
But the distance seemed too far,
and far-flung stars, more personal
than the God who hung them.
How often did she ask to unmask
the key to faith in a God who hears.
Loves. Draws. Speaks.
Yet I believe. I believe You
who knew her heart from the start
ran to greet her.
“Mit barn! My child!”
I believe she recognized You at once,
whispered tenderly, “Min far. My Father.”
Never again will language be labored,
and never again faith
a far-flung star.
© Marie Elena Good, 2017
Sadly, our Poetic Asides family lost our Danish friend, Andrea Heiberg. She died of cancer Monday. Andrea never let language get in the way of relationship, clear across the globe. Her presence will be missed by so very many.
Next Stop: Sejer Island.
By Andrea Heiberg
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12381964-next-stop
pictured words 
so sad and beautiful, Marie Elena
Andrea will be missed
It always takes me somewhat by surprise how we can be impacted by the death of someone we’ve never met face-to-face.
Andrea would have loved your beautiful tribute, and so do I. Thank you, dear Marie, for this and for so much more…
Thank you so much for your kind comment, dear friend. I hope she would like it, and I hope I have portrayed her in the light she would deem true and honoring. This is how I see her.
Beautiful tribute, Marie! I know she’ll be missed by many.
Thank you, PSC. ❤
This is really beautiful Marie. Thanks for writing this and sharing it. It amazes me how unexplainably moving it is when we learn of our “virtual” friends’ joys, trials and final passings. Even though most of us have never met, face-to-face, there is such a strong bond of kinship. Thank you again.
Amen. I just responded in the same way to Linda’s comment above. Yes, there is a strong bond of kinship, for sure. You included, David.
So sad..but a beautiful tribute to Andrea.
Thank you for this poem, Marie Elena.
Thank you, Sasha.
Beautiful!
Thank you, neighbor. ❤