{"id":8771,"date":"2026-07-03T06:16:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T06:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/josephrauch.com\/therauchreview\/?p=8771"},"modified":"2026-07-13T08:28:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T08:28:02","slug":"andrea-gibson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/josephrauch.com\/therauchreview\/author-profiles\/andrea-gibson\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrea Gibson: Poetry That Brings Light to Dark Situations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Andrea Gibson, who used gender-neutral pronouns<\/a> \u201cthey\/them,\u201d was an American poet who became Colorado\u2019s 10th Poet Laureate<\/a>. Gibson was also a performer and activist, particularly known for their work tackling gender norms, queer identity, LGBTQ+ topics and social issues.<\/p>\n

The author of several poetry collections, Gibson won the inaugural 2008 Women of the World Poetry Slam. Their most recent collection, \u201cYou Better Be Lightning,\u201d was published in 2021.<\/p>\n

Gibson also released seven albums of spoken word and performance poetry, including \u201cHey Galaxy\u201d in 2018. They were the subject of the documentary \u201cCome See Me in the Good Light<\/a>,\u201d also available as a book<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Gibson was commissioned to write a Substack newsletter, naming it Things That Don\u2019t Suck<\/a>. A couple of weeks after signing the contract, they were admitted to hospital to undergo an emergency hysterectomy. A diagnosis of ovarian cancer followed. They decided to keep the name, Things That Don\u2019t Suck, and to continue to look for and put into words the beautiful things in life: the things that didn\u2019t suck amid the grief of a terminal illness. Gibson\u2019s diagnosis also fed into their poetry, which followed the themes of politics, gender identity and their four-year ordeal with ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n

Fans of Gibson note that their poetry helped them love and accept themselves, while also speaking to people living with a terminal diagnosis. Their work made readers less afraid of death and reminded them that we never really leave the people we love.<\/a><\/p>\n

Gibson wrote a prose poem titled \u201cLove Letter from the Afterlife<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0which they published on Substack in 2023. In it they wrote, \u201cDying is the opposite of leaving. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Life in Poetry<\/h2>\n

Born in Calais, Maine<\/a> on August 13, 1975, Gibson relocated to Boulder, Colorado in 1999. Born and raised in a Baptist family, Gibson\u2019s work is rooted in an intense recognition of, and compassion for, a shared humanity. Their work featured themes of sexuality, love and personal tragedy.<\/p>\n

Gibson was a gifted spoken-word performer<\/a>, sometimes referred to as a rock star of poetry slams<\/a>. Much of their spoken-word poetry is available for streaming on both Spotify<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2025 director Ryan White captured Gibson\u2019s cancer journey in the celebrated documentary \u201cCome See Me in the Good Light.\u201d The release of the film was an emotional moment for Gibson and wife Megan Falley<\/a>, who had not been sure the poet would live to see its release.<\/p>\n

On July 14, 2025, Falley announced Gibson\u2019s death from ovarian cancer<\/a> at age 49. They were surrounded by their wife, parents, four ex-partners, friends and the couple\u2019s beloved dogs. Falley, a poet, essayist, memoirist and poetry teacher, continues to post<\/a> on Gibson\u2019s Substack newsletter, Things That Don\u2019t Suck.<\/p>\n

Speaking to NPR about her wife\u2019s poetry, Falley said, \u201cAndrea\u2019s work, I think, always \u2014 they always used their pen to poke holes in the dark and bring light into any situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

Poetry Collections by Andrea Gibson<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"You<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘You Better Be Lightning<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Button Poetry<\/em>, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

In this queer, feminist, political collection of poems, Gibson moves between deeply personal introspection and the vastness of the world. They explore themes central to the human experience, touching on topics as diverse as illness, climate change and space.<\/p>\n

While praising the collection, some critics have noted<\/a> that it does not feel as well-rounded as some of Gibson\u2019s other collections. There is a sense that the shorter poems are flashes of the brilliance for which Gibson is known, while some of the longer-form poems can feel a little muddled.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.8 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.62 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.65 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Lord<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘Lord of the Butterflies<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
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Button Poetry<\/em>, 2018<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
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The poems within this collection are referenced as artful and nuanced examinations of gender, romance, loss and family. One reviewer referred to the collection as having an emphasis on mental health.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.7 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.42 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.45 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Take<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘Take Me With You<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
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Plume<\/em>, 2018<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

This pocket-sized book is marketed as \u201cA book small enough to carry with you, with messages big enough to stay with you.\u201d<\/a> Split into three sections, Love, The World and Becoming, it contains a mixture of poems, phrases and one liners. It has also been illustrated with line drawings by Sarah J. Coleman.<\/a> It has been compared to the work of poet Rupi Kaur<\/a> and writer Cheryl Strayed.<\/a> Critics praise its \u201chonesty and beautifully rendered language\u201d<\/a>. Simultaneously, some online readers<\/a> have commented less favorably, remarking that some of the poems barely scratch the surface, feeling unfinished.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.7 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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3.93 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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3.97 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Pansy,<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘Pansy<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
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Write Bloody Publishing<\/em>, 2015<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
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Described as containing \u201cstunning imagery and a fierce willingness to to delve in what it means to truly heal,\u201d<\/a> this collection is also a demand for political action. Writing in The Rumpus, critic Julie Marie Wade was initially concerned that Gibson\u2019s proficiency at spoken word might not translate so well into print. She described Gibson\u2019s poetry in this collection as \u201cinspiring without being inspirational,\u201d and “instructive without slipping into the shallows of self-help.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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<\/div><\/div><\/span>
4.8 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/span>
4.48 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/span>
4.52 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"The<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘The Madness Vase<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Write Bloody Publishing<\/em>, 2015<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
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This collection is popular within the queer community and anti-war organizations. It is also well-read on college campuses, particularly women and gender studies programmes. The poems contain themes varying from hate crimes, international conflict and loneliness. Author Sonya Renee states that Gibson\u2019s poems are \u201cactive Volcano\u201d<\/a> that remind us the world will keep on spinning if we just push a little.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.8 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.4 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.47 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Pole<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Write Bloody Publishing<\/em>, 2008<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
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Gibson\u2019s debut, imaginatively titled collection presents hauntingly original poetry. The poems attempt to deconstruct the political climate of the era, tackling issues around the psychological trauma of war veterans. The poems are referenced as being \u201crich in the kind of questioning that inspires action.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.8 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.41 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.47 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"How<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘How Poetry Can Change Your Heart<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
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Chronicle Books<\/em>, 2019<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Co-authored by Megan Falley, this collection is described as a \u201cHow To\u201d book, this sets out to prove that poetry is for everyone.<\/a> It encourages readers to find poetry in unexpected places, providing a transformative experience. Readers have commented<\/a> on its straightforward and practical advice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.8 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.13 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.2 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"We<\/a><\/span><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>
BUY NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
‘We Will Be Shelter: Poems for Survival<\/a>‘<\/div><\/div>
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Write Bloody Publishing<\/em>, 2014<\/strong><\/div><\/div>
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This book is an anthology of poems addressing social justice issues. It is edited by Gibson. The goal of the collection is to raise awareness of social and political issues and to call readers to action.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reviews<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span>
4.8 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Amazon<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.3 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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StoryGraph<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4.32 out of 5<\/div><\/span>
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Goodreads<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Gibson\u2019s Spoken Word and Performance Poetry Albums<\/h2>\n

\u2018Hey Galaxy\u2019 (2018)<\/h3>\n

Contains 17 songs and is available for MP3 download via Amazon.<\/p>\n

\u2018Truce\u2019 (2013)<\/h3>\n

This is a single-track download available on Spotify<\/a> and an album available on Apple Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018Flower Boy\u2019 (2011)<\/h3>\n

The full album is available for streaming and download on Spotify<\/a> and Apple Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Political Activism<\/h2>\n

Gibson was known for their political activism, particularly around issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. They also used their poetry, spoken-word performances and albums to address political and social issues, such as the treatment of veterans.<\/p>\n

In their poem “For Eli<\/a>” Gibson tackles the issue of America\u2019s treatment of veterans:<\/p>\n

\u201cEli came back from Iraq
\nAnd tattooed a teddy bear onto the inside of his wrist
\nAbove that a medic with an IV bag
\nAbove that an angel
\nBut Eli says the teddy bear won\u2019t live
\nAnd I know I don\u2019t know but I say, \u201cI know\u201d
\nCause Eli\u2019s only 24 and I\u2019ve never seen eyes
\nFurther away from childhood than his.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her poem “Ashes<\/a>” discusses the issue of the brutal murder of homosexuals:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe night I was torn from the pages of their Bible
\nand burned alive
\nmy ashes came down like snow
\nand a girl who had never seen my face
\nsaw me falling from the sky
\nand laid down on her back
\nto make an angel in the powder of my bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

Awards<\/h2>\n

Gibson won many awards and honors for their work, including:<\/p>\n

2023 first place for poetry in the Feathered Quill Book Awards<\/a> and a 2022 gold medal for poetry in the Independent Publisher Book Awards<\/a> for “You Better Be Lightning.”<\/p>\n

Their collection Lord of the Butterflies won the following awards:<\/p>\n