About

"Dear A" is one part of a set of 2 poems by Andrew Burton. The other one is called "Dear J." I had a conversation with Andrew about these poems and he relayed the story of how they came about. 

"When I was born my father wanted me to be named after his father, John Burton. My mother observed that the name John was “dead common” and opposed the name. As a compromise I was named Andrew John Burton but was called John for the first 5 years of my life, which very much pleased my grandfather. (He did not know about Andrew) When I was 5 he (my grandfather) passed away. Following his passing my parents began calling me Andrew as my mother
did not want me to become, as she put it, “dead common”. I was not aware of their reasons for the change of name for many years. Becoming Andrew held a curious effect on me. I recall thinking that there must be some momentous reason for me no longer being John. No doubt there was some flaw in John that needed to go. John, however, did not leave but remained as an internal voice speaking a critical running commentary on the choices, decisions and actions taken over many years of my life. The voice of John on many occasions persuaded me to take an easier path, to avoid risk, and to question the value of myself, my thoughts, my hopes and dreams. This often took the form of a conversation (sometimes an argument) between J and A. (John and Andrew). Sometimes J won out, sometimes A. Over time the voice of A became the dominant guide. I made a conscious decision to open myself to possibilities. A part of that was settling the inner conflict between J and A. Those two poems reflect parts of that conversation." 

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