Tribute to Andrea Gibson
Renowned poet Andrea Gibson, celebrated for their ability to capture the intricacies of moments through stirring spoken word performances, passed away on Monday.
Gibson’s poetry was deeply rooted in real-life experiences and addressed issues impacting everyday Coloradans, including queer rights, political divisions, environmental challenges, gun reform, and health care. Their personal experiences within the American health care system inspired them to collaborate with Power to the Patients, a national initiative advocating for transparency in hospital pricing to empower patients in making informed decisions.
By using accessible language to discuss common issues, Gibson made poetry more approachable. “I don’t write poetry that I think is hard to understand,” they stated in a 2023 interview with The Sun, emphasizing that the spoken word movement has made poetry accessible to everyone, regardless of their education level.
At the age of 49 and residing in Boulder, Gibson had been undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer since 2021. In 2023, they were appointed the Colorado poet laureate, a role established in 1919 to promote appreciation for poetry across the state. Governor Jared Polis recognized Gibson’s selection as a testament to their “fierce conviction in inspiring others towards art and action on social issues.”
Gibson took pride in their Colorado roots and expressed that being named poet laureate was more significant than any national accolade, crediting their poetic education to Colorado poets. In August 2024, they received a fellowship from the Academy of American Poets to create an anthology of living Colorado poet laureates, with proceeds aimed at sustaining the poet laureate position.
Since childhood, Gibson had been writing poetry and became a full-time poet in 2005 after leaving their Montessori teaching job. Although the early years were challenging, they eventually mastered how to monetize their artistic talents. Over time, Gibson toured internationally as a spoken-word artist and authored seven books, garnering multiple accolades, including four Denver Grand Slam titles and the Independent Publishers Award. They also starred in the award-winning documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light,” which chronicles their marriage to poet Megan Falley and their battle with cancer.
Despite their diagnosis, Gibson remained vibrant and focused on joy. “It changed me,” they shared after receiving the poet laureate honor. They channeled their evolving identity into poetry, addressing themes of gender and community. Their work also included reflections on interactions with diverse individuals, as illustrated in their poem “MAGA Hat in the Chemo Room.” In a poignant Facebook post announcing their death, Falley noted Gibson’s remarkable resilience during their illness, citing one of their last statements: “I fucking loved my life.”
In December 2023, while touring as poet laureate, Gibson wrote “Love Letter From the Afterlife,” a poem intended to comfort those grieving during the holiday season. In this piece, they expressed, “When I left my body, I did not go away. That portal of light was not a portal to elsewhere, but a portal to here. I am more here than I ever was before.”
