At 7'4" and 500 pounds, Andre the Giant could have been famous for his size alone. His drive, talent and ambition, however, proved to be as big as Andre himself, and the wrestler became legendary for his achievements in and out of the ring.
Andre was born Andre Rene Roussimoff in Grenoble, France on May 19, 1946. His parents, Boris and Marian Roussimoff, and four siblings were of average size. Andre, however, suffered from acromegaly, a disease that results in an over abundance of growth hormones. Also known as Giantism, this disease caused Andre's body to continue growing his whole life, and by the time he was 17 he stood 6' 7".
Here on AD we are fortunate to have our own giant, Andre, a man of gigantic proportions in the realm of all things poetic. For Roussimoff, continuous growth was a disease. For Ben-YEHU, his continuous poetic growth is a great blessing for Authorsdenizens.
Andre, The Giant
Rhyming couplets do have their place, But as steady diet, dulling, they cloy. Your poems will sing brighter and race, If breathing room, for rhyme you employ.
Was advice from Authorsden Sage, Most High Poet of stature and form, Ever present to read and gauge, Urge qualities that upgrade our norm,
Praise good work with profuse applause, Stately laudations from bottom of soul, Commend with heart, coincident cause, With justice on parade, ruling the whole.
May your poetic hormones ever flow, May your growth in power always build, May your elegance, poets yearn to know, That hearts with wisdom be overfilled.
We admire exalted values of life, Andre Bendavi Ben-YEHU, fine light, We honor your bright mind, sharp as a knife, Tap sword to your shoulder, you to be-knight.
For Royalty you are, in poetic sense, In service of bards at Castle Aye Dee, To uphold highest standards, now and hence, Mentor, we salute your sublimity.
Leland, as Andre would say, "Aristotle would smile, Poet, and learn from your words."
I smile, with delight and appreciation at your composition of praise. Not only is the man worth your words and time, in your passion to portray his spirit, you've created a masterpiece of flow, cadence, timing, message and lovely breathing room for the rhymes you employed.
Giants come in all sizes, just like men and minds and souls. You are also a giant, Leland, in your own right. :)
hello L, I'm an Andre the giant wrestling fan and a Ben Yehu fan, and a Leland Waldrip fan and the beat goes on. But this is a nice piece to a dedicated caring poet. G
I stand proudly before Your Sublime Presence, Poet Leland Waldrip, with the word GRATITUDE written with pearls from the oysters of the deep Sea of my Soul depicted by the eternal Smile of my heart.
To Your Quills from the wing of Creation and Harmony, I bring Powder of Rose Marble and ink scented with the aroma of Perseverance.
My gratitude, respect and admiration, and the Smile of my Heart.
By mandamus of my Soul on this third day of April, Saturday, (Saturn’s day.) the thirteenth day of Spring.
What a wonderful tribute versed so beautifully and yes he is a giant amoungst the poets here...my brother would love this too he too is an Andre...enjoyed this immensly...best wishes Andrea
Reviewed by Eva Black (Reader)
Reviewed on April 2, 2004
Greetings to Poet Leland Waldrip!
A man that has the courage to stand for gratitude and friendship is a man touched by the Fire of Eternal Love.
I am confident that the kindness of your heart will be touching millions just like it has showered me through your writings.
Tell your friend, and also let the world know that you care for him, is the cadence of your message.
You have shown the world what "AMMO" a Poet possess to defend the greatness of mankind.
Thank you.
Eva Black, BFA
Reviewed by David Livingstone (Reader)
Reviewed on April 2, 2004
When a dew of kindness flows from a leaf of love and touches the tree of grace, fruits of wonder grow, gratitude glows, humanity enriches and Justice flourishes.
Through the sacred Verb of your heart, Esteemed Poet Leland Waldrip, you applied the words to compose "Andre, The Giant", with art of form and sounds of kindness for your compeer. Such a Gift of Friendship is a SMILE OF ETERNITY.
I thank you for making an honorable friend known through your words.
wonderful tribute to our own andre' the giant, andre bendavi ben-YEHU! a true gentleman he is!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :D
also love the brief bio you did on wrestling's andre' the giant! he truly WAS a giant!!
Reviewed by Floria Kelderhouse (Reader)
Reviewed on April 2, 2004
This is wonderful Leland...beautifully
written for a great poet who always
has a helping hand for one of us here
at the Den...Andre is deserving of this
great tribute...his eagerness to help
others fine tune their work is beyond
nice...you did him justice with this..
great writing Leland...floria
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi Ben-YEHU's poetic stature is that of a King, that of his Wisdom is oceanic in vastness and depth, and that of his kindness and generosity, has the paradoxical and magical properties of making Reality surge from nurtured Dreams, and Dreams soar from encouraged realities. And you, my dear friend, admired poet and supreme philosopher, have depicted the Master in his greatness as only you can: With the ever expanding greatness of your own mind, talent, and heart. Thank You. With Giants such as both of You, I learn, thus Grow.
With warmth,
~Alexandra~
Reviewed by Debashish Haar (Reader)
Reviewed on April 2, 2004
Thanks for such a wonderful tribute for our Titan...
Excellent as always Leland, I love your poetry, it's always informative,well written and well rhymed! Wonderful tribute to Andre!
Reviewed by Katy Walsvik (Reader)
Reviewed on April 1, 2004
How very lovely and thoughtful is this, Leland. Andre does leave some of the kindest and most sincerely felt comments throughout dendom... and he writes as one who should often take a bow, but would never consider such a thing. It's you, however, I am most pleased with, just now... for you honor another and in so doing, you honor yourself, who also would not rest on his laurels, though could, indeed. I always weep in the presence of such kindness. You are both special. katy xox.
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
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I smile, with delight and appreciation at your composition of praise. Not only is the man worth your words and time, in your passion to portray his spirit, you've created a masterpiece of flow, cadence, timing, message and lovely breathing room for the rhymes you employed.
Giants come in all sizes, just like men and minds and souls. You are also a giant, Leland, in your own right. :)
Well done, gentlemen.
Gina
Reindeer
Author-Poet Leland Waldrip, you have shown a beautiful garden where respect can be felt making the flowers smile.
Thank you for stimulating the Grace of Friendship.
Margarita Caligaris, Litt.D, Ph.D.
Good Morning!
Healthier be the eyes that these letters read.
I stand proudly before Your Sublime Presence, Poet Leland Waldrip, with the word GRATITUDE written with pearls from the oysters of the deep Sea of my Soul depicted by the eternal Smile of my heart.
To Your Quills from the wing of Creation and Harmony, I bring Powder of Rose Marble and ink scented with the aroma of Perseverance.
My gratitude, respect and admiration, and the Smile of my Heart.
By mandamus of my Soul on this third day of April, Saturday, (Saturn’s day.) the thirteenth day of Spring.
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Your words are absolutely beautiful... A most magnificent tribute for Andre, our poet/friend!
Superb poetry, excellently composed!
Love, Sheila
A man that has the courage to stand for gratitude and friendship is a man touched by the Fire of Eternal Love.
I am confident that the kindness of your heart will be touching millions just like it has showered me through your writings.
Tell your friend, and also let the world know that you care for him, is the cadence of your message.
You have shown the world what "AMMO" a Poet possess to defend the greatness of mankind.
Thank you.
Eva Black, BFA
Through the sacred Verb of your heart, Esteemed Poet Leland Waldrip, you applied the words to compose "Andre, The Giant", with art of form and sounds of kindness for your compeer. Such a Gift of Friendship is a SMILE OF ETERNITY.
I thank you for making an honorable friend known through your words.
The one that sees the star can have the sun!
Gratefully,
David Livingstone
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :D
also love the brief bio you did on wrestling's andre' the giant! he truly WAS a giant!!
written for a great poet who always
has a helping hand for one of us here
at the Den...Andre is deserving of this
great tribute...his eagerness to help
others fine tune their work is beyond
nice...you did him justice with this..
great writing Leland...floria
With warmth,
~Alexandra~
Debashish
Thanks for sharing Leland!!
Love ya Tinka