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 he word Goddess is defined as a female God or Deity

A woman of extraordinary beauty and charm A greatly admired or adored woman. From this definition, we can gather that what makes a woman a goddess is a woman who adds real value to people's lives, and she is also someone whom others look up to I relate most to Aphrodite (Greek)goddess of love, lust and beauty, Inanna (Sumerian)goddess of love, war, and fertility, and Charis (Greek)one of the Charites or "Graces", goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility I have found that after my time in Lesvos, I began to channel and embody all of these qualities in my thoughts, words, and actions I became a Goddess of Love and began to live in that light. My energy and aura began to ignite a passion for life in me I had thought was lost I knew I was on the right path when my host for the festival came to me in the midst of a quarrel with her partner. She was upset and almost fearful, she wanted me to speak to her partner with her I had no background, I had never met the woman she loved, and I had no concept of what I was walking into I entered the room with trepidation yet courage I felt empowered by the Goddess energy I was walking in I spoke with a gentle, yet firm voice, I used words I didn't realize I knew I spoke with the authority of a Goddess and the humility of a visitor to their island We talked for several hours and as the night waned into the wee hours of the morning, I saw why I was meant to be there in that space. I was led to help them

heal through Love

The next day I visited the sculpture on the island that was dedicated to Sappho and began to write It was just a few lines but they were powerful to me

I am shaped by my experiences, molded like clay by life, I am permeable and pliable I expand and breathe the sea air to take shape. I am a daughter of Sappho, an heir to her throne as Goddess of Love and as I take my true form, embody light and love, I mold those around me into images of their own essence. I spread love and eroticism to the world as I am called to do It is not what I do, it is who I am and I have been reminded by my ancestors to spark fire, light the kiln, heat the hearths, solidify the works of art I touch Be Love

That night I walked in a community fashion show and an image was captured of me that spoke volumes to me and showed me that I had come to that island to find myself and I did. I am a Goddess of Love. I share this experience with you to let you know that Goddesses walk among us You may find that you indeed are one. I encourage you to listen to the inner voice that speaks to you when your spirit is most quiet, let that guidance lead you to embrace your purpose Don’t allow fear sway you from your path. Take the time to understand your journey and most of all delight in the opportunity to be YOU