WHEN A FRIEND TURNS YOUR POEM INTO A SONG

I have a beautiful, talented friend who - artistically at least - goes by the name “Loopy Galore”. She doesn’t seem particularly loopy to me, but if she does have a few loose screws, she’s turned them into magical instruments, writing beautiful, soulful music.

Recently, Loopy spent a few months in America. We kept in touch by text while she was away; she sent me her latest compositions, and I shared my poetry. She returned to Switzerland just as I left for Spain, so we missed each other in person, but our exchanges continued through words and songs.

Loopy knew I’d been struggling with my health for a long time. She understood that poetry - and working towards publishing my book, “Illicit Croissants at Dawn” - had become my life vest in a sea of doctor’s appointments and social isolation.

Yesterday, she sent me a song. Upon listening, I realized that the lyrics are inspired by one of my poems, “Sunbeams Through the Mist”

The song is gorgeous, but beyond this I can’t begin to express how much her gesture touched me. When so many people who were once close to me drifted away in the months I was housebound, never calling, never visiting, Loopy’s generosity felt like a warm hug. She took my words, blended them with her own, and created something beautiful out of kindness, empathy and thoughtful understanding.

Maybe Miss Loopy Galore is as loopy as I am. Maybe “loopy” is another word for “kind”.

Find Sunbeams Through the Mist in my poetry book, Illicit Croissants at Dawn.