Poet and Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson Dies at 47

Andrea Gibson, a celebrated poet and former Colorado Poet Laureate, has passed away at the age of 47. Gibson, who identified as genderqueer, was known for their powerful and evocative poetry that frequently enough explored themes of love, loss, identity, and social justice.

Gibson’s impact extended far beyond the literary world. In a touching tribute,a mother named Stay shared how Gibson’s words and presence were life-saving for her son after he came out as transgender.”My son this morning, when he called, we just sobbed together,” Stay recounted. “He says, ‘Mom, Andrea saved my life.'” Gibson’s poetry also provided solace to Stay during her own cancer diagnosis, prompting her son to return home to care for her. The family was thrilled when Gibson accepted their invitation to perform at an event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in southern Utah, an event Stay described as “truly life-changing for our community down there, and even for our allies.”

Born in Maine,Gibson moved to Colorado in the late 1990s and served as the state’s poet laureate for two years.their published works include “You Better Be Lightning,” “Take Me With You,” and “Lord of the Butterflies.” Colorado Governor Jared Polis remembered Gibson as “truly one of a kind” with a “unique ability to connect with the vast and diverse poetry lovers of Colorado.”

In a 2017 essay for Out magazine,Gibson reflected on coming out at age 20 while studying at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. they described their genderqueer identity with the line,”I am happiest on the road/ When I’m not here or there – but in-between.”

Comedian Tig Notaro, a close friend of Gibson’s for 25 years and an executive producer on a documentary about them, shared on Instagram the profound influence Gibson had on her life. Notaro described hearing Gibson perform for the first time as witnessing the “pure essence of an old-school genuine rock star” and noted that Gibson’s words have been a guiding force. “The final past few days of Andrea’s life were so painful to witness, but simultaneously one of the most stunning experiences of all of our lives,” Notaro stated. “Surrounded by real human connection unfolding in the most unlikely ways during one of the most devastating losses has given me a gift that I will never be able to put into meaningful words.”

Gibson’s illness inspired a series of poems grappling with mortality, depression, and the nature of existence. In their 2021 poem, “How the Worst Day of My Life Became My Best,” Gibson wrote, “When I realized the storm/was unavoidable, I made it/my medicine.” Two years later, they posed the question, “Will the afterlife be harder if I remember/the people I love, or forget them?” The poem concludes with a poignant plea: “Either way, please let me remember.”