Months before Andrea Gibson, Colorado’s renowned poet laurate, died of terminal ovarian cancer, they sat down for their final television interview on an episode of NBC Chicago’s “It’s OK to Ask Questions.”
At the end of the interview, Gibson, who is non-binary, read fiancée Megan Falley a poem they had written, titled “Love Letter From the Afterlife.”
The moment wasn’t planned, host Matt Rodrigues said, and Gibson, 49, who was battling stage-four ovarian cancer, was getting visibly tired. But the reading took on a life of its own and has since gone viral, with millions of views on social media in the days after Gibson’s death.
“Andrea just pulled out the poem,” Rodrigues recalled, as Gibson and Falley sat outside facing each other. “We were all just so overwhelmed. It was something so special.”
At the beginning, Gibson said they had originally written the poem for Falley but shared it online for anyone who was grieving.
“I don’t think I had ever told anyone I had written it from my own perspective,” Gibson said nervously. “I’ve never read it like this.”
Gibson went on to read the poem, which starts out by saying “Dying is the opposite of leaving.”
“That portal of light was not a portal to elsewhere, but a portal to here,” Gibson read. “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. I am more with you than I ever could have imagined.”
“Why did no one tell us that to die is to be reincarnated in those we love while those are still alive,” Gibson went on to read. “…One day you will understand.”
As the reading concludes, an emotional Falley leans over to give Gibson a hug. Rodrigues said the entire NBC crew was moved to tears at the the time of filming by the heartfelt exchange.
Hundreds of comments posted to social media said the same, with many sharing how the poem comforted them as part of their journey of loss or identity.
“Rest in peace to a true poet,” one comment said. “This poem has brought such immense comfort to me during such a devastating time and i I hope it can do the same to the ones that loved them.”
After Gibson’s death was announced Monday, other tributes poured in from friends, fans and fellow poets who said Gibson’s words had changed their lives — and, in some cases, saved them. Many LGBTQ+ fans said Gibson’s poetry helped them learn to love themselves. People with cancer and other terminal illnesses said Gibson made them less afraid of death by reminding them that we never really leave the ones we love.
Gibson was born in Maine and moved to Colorado in the late 1990s, where they had served the past two years as the state’s poet laureate. Their books included “You Better Be Lightning,” “Take Me With You” and “Lord of the Butterflies.” Gibson’s death was announced on social media Monday by Falley, who later became Gibson’s wife.
“Andrea Gibson died in their home (in Boulder, Colorado) surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of friends, and their three beloved dogs,” the announcement said.
Gibson and Falley are the main subjects of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light,” winner of the Festival Favorite Award this year at the Sundance Film Festival and scheduled to air this fall on Apple TV+.
The film — exploring the couple’s enduring love as Gibson battled cancer — is directed by Ryan White and includes an original song written by Gibson, Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile. During a screening at Sundance in January that left much of the audience in tears, Gibson said they didn’t expect to live long enough to see the documentary.
