@IMMANILOVE SHE/THEY
SAPPHO'S daughter IMMANI LOVE
Years ago, I was given the opportunity to travel to Lesvos (or Lesbos to some), Greece during my summer tour to perform at the Sappho Women’s Festival. It was an unexpected opportunity to extend my tour for an additional week and I was excited! My wife (at the time) was traveling with me and it had been a very trying summer. It was the summer I lost my son to AIDS. I was touring and couldn’t return home to be by his side. I was devastated. I was broken and had questioned my purpose in life, I mourned and struggled with my own existence. I had made it through the scheduled stops and was debating whether to end my tour on time and go home to face reality or take this opportunity and see why it was presented to me. I had to fundraise to be able to do it and it was in the middle of a financial crisis that was just brewing in Europe. There were so many things hindering the trip but somehow we raised the funds and took the chance to continue the tour. I had no idea how much that trip would impact the rest of my life and define my purpose in it. For those who don’t know the Sappho origin and meaning, the name Sappho is a girl's name of Greek, Ancient Languages/Civilizations origin meaning "sapphire." It is the name of the 7th century BC Greek lyric poet born on the island of Lesbos, whose name has been synonymous with lesbian love. I wasn’t aware of this at the time, and went to the island where she had been born, unbeknownst to me, to be reborn myself. The island was beautiful, full of historic sculptures and beautiful landscapes teeming with wildlife like black flamingoes and wild goats, breathtaking sunsets, lively music, and art. The people were genuine and welcoming, offering the island’s eclectic varieties of cuisine, and shots of Ouzo even for the non-drinker that I proclaimed to be, and I indulged in their hospitality wholeheartedly. I had surprising conversations, long walks on the women-only naturist beach, bronzing my skin and inhaling the salty sea air. I felt my spirit healing. I felt my
