Poet Andrea Gibson Dies at 49: Remembering a Life of Unshakable Love, Courage, and Poetic Truth
The world has lost a luminous voice. Andrea Gibson, a beloved poet, performer, and fearless advocate for love, identity, and life’s most painful yet beautiful truths, passed away on Monday at the age of 49.
Gibson, who spent the last four years battling terminal ovarian cancer, died peacefully at their home in Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by their wife Megan Falley, family, close friends, and their beloved dogs.
Their passing, announced by Falley on social media, has sent shockwaves of sorrow and reflection through the poetry world, LGBTQ+ community, and anyone who has ever drawn strength from Gibson’s raw, honest, and life-affirming words.
Andrea Gibson: The Poet Who Taught Us How to Live and Die
Andrea Gibson didn’t just write poems—they crafted roadmaps for navigating life’s most complicated emotions. They spoke openly about gender identity, mental health struggles, politics, love, and mortality. For so many, their poems were more than art—they were survival guides.
Through works like You Better Be Lightning, Take Me With You, and Lord of the Butterflies, Gibson broke down barriers and brought tenderness to topics many are afraid to confront. Their words helped queer youth feel seen, gave cancer patients hope, and reminded people across the world that life, in all its messy glory, is still worth living.
One of their last poems, Love Letter from the Afterlife, beautifully captured their philosophy on death:
“Dying is the opposite of leaving. When I left my body, I did not go away… I am more here than I ever was before.”
A Life of Authenticity and Impact
Born in Maine, Gibson discovered their poetic voice in college and quickly became a fierce presence in the slam poetry scene, eventually relocating to Colorado where they continued their transformative work. In 2023, Gibson was honored as Colorado’s poet laureate, becoming a beacon of inspiration for artists, activists, and outcasts alike.
They identified as genderqueer, using they/them pronouns, and spoke openly about rejecting binary gender labels. Gibson’s poetry frequently explored the fluidity of identity, once writing,
“I am happiest on the road / When I’m not here or there — but in-between.”
Their performances were electric—a blend of vulnerability, righteous anger, humor, and hope that captivated audiences from small-town bars to global festivals.
A Final Gift: Come See Me in the Good Light
Gibson’s final chapter has been beautifully chronicled in the upcoming Apple TV+ documentary, Come See Me in the Good Light, directed by Ryan White. The film, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2025 to emotional standing ovations, offers an intimate glimpse into Gibson’s final years—focusing on their love story with Megan Falley, their battle with cancer, and their joyful, rebellious spirit.
The documentary also features original music collaborations with Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile, blending Gibson’s lyrical poetry with powerful melodies.
Despite battling immense physical pain in their final months, Gibson’s soul remained defiant. They continued performing, writing, and connecting with people until the very end, often reminding audiences:
“When I realized the storm was inevitable, I made it my medicine.”
Tributes Pour In: The World Mourns a Unique Light
The news of Gibson’s passing prompted an outpouring of grief and gratitude from across the world. Colorado Governor Jared Polis praised Gibson as “truly one of a kind,” and comedians like Tig Notaro reflected on their 25-year friendship, calling Gibson’s final days “the most painful yet beautiful experience of our lives.”
Perhaps the most poignant stories come from everyday people—from a mother in Utah who said Gibson’s poetry helped her understand her transgender son, to young queer individuals who credit Gibson with saving their lives, offering words of comfort in their darkest moments.
One fan said it best:
“Andrea Gibson didn’t just write poetry. They held us when no one else did.”
A Lasting Legacy of Love and Hope
Andrea Gibson leaves behind an enormous legacy—not just of poems and performances, but of unflinching honesty, radical empathy, and boundless courage.
In a world often defined by division, Gibson championed love—messy love, imperfect love, defiant love. They showed us how to celebrate who we are, how to grieve with grace, and how to live authentically, even in the face of death.
Their words will live on, whispered in quiet rooms, shouted at protests, shared between friends, and carried in the hearts of those who needed their poetry the most.
Rest in power, Andrea Gibson (1975-2025).
You taught us to embrace life in its fiercest forms and showed us there is beauty in both beginnings and endings.
💬 What was your favorite Andrea Gibson poem? Share your thoughts and tributes in the comments below.
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