So the other day, I had my first time with a spectacularly talented women named Andrea Gibson---the first time to hear someone recite a poem so powerfully it made me cry. I am not talking tearing up a little bit, I am talking tears falling all over Chinese homework I was failing to focus on. And this was not even a live reading! This was me watching it on the magical youtube. If I watched her live I probably would have ripped my heart out, gift wrapped it, and presented it to her. It was an amazing experience, one left me inspired.
Andrea Gibson an activist, and overall badass, was the 2008 winner of the Women of the World Poetry slam in Detroit, a four time Denver Grand Slam champion, and placed third at both the 2006 and 2007 Individual World Poetry Slam (according to good 'ol Wiki.) But this is not about the awards she has won, it is about her words, her poetry, and her delivery. Because in slam poetry it is about the delivery---and damn this women delivers! My good lord, does she deliver!
So I wanted to share one of her poems (and some others if you are interested) with you called "Birthday." Powerful. Crying powerful.
Quite funny. About gender, titled "Swing-set."
Intense. But indeed one of the best art pieces about United States militarism, titled "For Eli."
Funny, beautiful, love poem, "How it Ends."
An amazing yet very painful poem. "Blue Blanket" the best and most powerful line of this poem is the last line.
Bottom line: Andrea Gibson too cool for school (however she still preforms at them.) Speaking of performances, she is currently touring and will be in my town Portland, Or on the 20th of November at the Q center! Portlanders, for the love of awesome, go and see her. I really really really wish I could be there. And could someone get her autograph for me?
