Partners

dear india,

thank you for opening the window,
for letting in the air,
for allowing us all a moment
to forget our wares and worries
and those things that hurry us into uncomfortable versions of ourselves

thank you for lightening the load
with your wide wings—
always ready with a yes and an idea,
always willing the willingness to play,
and play well and deeply,
and widely and wildly

thank you for your brightness
and those generous hands
that led people through the darkness
into the unknown,
knowing only that something about you made them feel that following you was a really good idea

thank you for imprinting the air
so deeply with your presence
that i can feel you here, now, somehow,
and i see that contagious smile
ready for what’s next—
readying us to be
free

love,
damien

This beautiful poem was written by world-renowned Irish musician, singer and songwriter, Damien Rice in India’s honor after the died by suicide on November 19, 2023. India and her husband Jason met and bonded with Damien at the 2016 and 2018 PEOPLE festivals in Berlin, where India played a key role as the festival “kidnapper.” India would randomly choose select individuals to be kidnapped and then taken to a special room where those lucky people were treated to a very special and intimate performance by some of of the festivals’ musicians and bands.

The production team for the events included Tom and Nadine Michelberger, Chryde of Blogotheque, Vincent Moon, Damien Rice, Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver), Mary Hickson and others. A reproduction of the mural India helped paint for the festivals can be seen on the side of The Lucky Wolf theater and cafe in Paw Paw, Michigan.