Andrea Gibson: "the madness vase"

Andrea Gibson, as part of Taylor Mali's Page Meets Stage series performs "the madness vase". Andrea Gibson is an award-winning poet and activist that lives in Boulder, Colorado. Her poetry focuses on gender norms, politics, and the struggles queer people face in today's society.

[@ang_ro]

This poem has saved me so many times over the past four years.

[@nikimurdaress212]

I started crying at "you stay here with me ok, you stay here with me"

[@FriedEggSarnie]

"You are not weak just because your heart feels so heavy. I have never met a heavy heart that wasn't a phone booth with a red cape inside". This line has given me so much strength.

[@daragalvao7511]

I've been finding my way back to this poem for almost 10 years. I was 13 the first time I found it, 23 now and it hits me still. Everytime. Being this deeply touched by a human being I have not once met in my lifetime might be one of my favorite things on earth. Thank you for reminding me I'm not alone.

[@OceanWorrier]

Same here friend. I’m glad you’ve made it so far.

[@JennyJaquelineMR]

Slam poetry allows me to have a form of release without damaging my own body. Andrea Gibson's poems are much more than just poems, they are the feelings and thoughts you and I have all experienced, she has the talents to put them into words. She is by far an inspiration to me.

[@bj10788]

Andrea I felt like you should know that I woke up this morning already fighting off a panic attack, I went for a run feeling proud of myself for taking action even though I was hurting, only to come back and burst into hysterical tears because my dog wouldn't drink water. The only time I could stop crying was when I paused in the middle of this video to make myself say out loud "let me say right now for the record, I’m still gonna be here asking this world to dance, even if it keeps stepping on my holy feet."

[@christinebaker5946]

"You stay with me"...every time I watch this, I feel she is talking directly to me...I wonder if she even knows how powerful this poem is, and how many lives she's saved. I am a teacher and have had students tell me that this poem gave them enough hope NOT to take their own lives. Andrea, if you ever see this, you are such a blessing to people, even those whom you've never met.

[@kaylakaml]

What the hell just happened? One moment I was watching spoken word on youtube and literally 2 minutes later tears were streaming down my cheeks and I was sobbing uncontrollably. I don't know how you did it but I just had a major cathartic moment. Thank you, Andrea.

[@TheRatLover1]

this has saved my life on so many occasions. i literally owe her my life. i love you so much thank you. you have made me do what i never thought i could do again: live.

[@emilydae1936]

Thank you sweetheart

[@thetongueofangels1882]

You owe your life to God

[@briannacavanaugh5183]

I'm crying so hard right now oh my god

[@AG-nv8ij]

This poem keeps me alive

[@Ravengal101]

Anna Harrison Try "Today Means Amen" by Sierra DeMulder.

[@CobiSimon]

Hi Anna, let's get in touch...

[@TheBestKindOfJack]

I have depression. This poem moved me. I sometimes live every waking moment within my own personal hell and it helps to hear the plight of others.

[@JustMeCELLY]

I have been listening this poem for years. And now, at the lowest point of my life, feeling a sadness i thought impossible, i come to listen to you again. I wish there was some way i could tell you how much you helped me. Thank you so much.

[@jocelynrivera105]

this poem makes me cry every time I hear it this is so beautiful and this has save my life so thank u thank u for keepimg me alive to see the beauty of life

[@vitalesfan]

This poem is on my bathroom mirror. Just know that this has saved my life over and over again. Thank you for that.

[@domo201]

I can't count the number of times this woman and her poetry has saved my life. Andrea I love you. You are such an amazing human being. I want to die but I want to live. You're poetry is life. Please make more poetry. Please.

[@arielewood]

I just cried, this is so accurate, Thank you.

[@ridhi7609]

hey, i can relate to you,i know how excruciating the mental pain is.. but it will get better

[@brittanylarson5973]

I can listen to this everyday and still tear up. That is what makes this true beauty

[@ladybug797]

this is so amazing. Andrea Gibson you are a truly amazing writer and reader. You are an inspiration. This strings my heart, this hurts so beautifully. You save people. You beautiful soul.

[@cpoterry]

Wondrous does not even cut close to how great this is. Thank you so so very much, thank you.

[@Natalia-Crow]

Such beautiful words i so deeply understand..

[@panther4170]

Every one of your poems touches my heart, so raw and so passionate I often find myself in tears, what a beautiful and amazing gift .... thank you for sharing it..

[@significantjoe]

I can't beleive the poer and passion of your performance. Thank you... your words will save lives

[@kenziewilson4799]

this is and never will be anything more comforting and life changing than this poem. thank you. thank you so many times over I owe so much go this poem.

[@alwayssatori]

wow, I just have no words that would suffice for the magnitude of inspiration this beautiful woman gives me. She tugs on every crevice of my heart and her words hang on the walls of my soul like priceless art. . Leaving my lips breathless and my mind without speech. Just such a gift

[@taylerwhitehead3775]

" It is no measure of good health to be adjusted to a sick society "...one of my favorite lines. I seriously love you Andrea Gibson. People like you make me want to keep going. I hope one day I am able to meet someone like you so I'll feel less alone.

[@abrokenwing]

Saved my life, still here 2025

[@erinshauna1987]

I don't get people who don't get Andrea Gibson poems.

[@danielleringhofer5417]

Tears streaming down my face the only words that come to mind.... or I should say heart... the only words that come... from my heart are Thank you. Thank you.

[@taylortouma6316]

God bless you Andrea, I can't stop crying rn. Thank you. So much.

[@DavidShurter1]

this is the MOST AMAZING poem I have ever heard. I would love to meet this person and hang out with them for an evening talking!!

[@melissa-bn2cz]

This poem has become my best friend in the darkest times. It's given me so much hope, brought me a sense of unity with the people around me 'Cause I'm not alone. I've come so close. I've come so close to giving up so many times. So thank you. Thank you for this poem. You don't know how much it means to me.

[@jesseurban4625]

Again,,all I can say is Thank you and I love you Andrea Gibson, thank you thank you and I truly love you. I’m here too. With much love and solidarity 🤗💗🙏🦋☮️ Jesse

[@omaximov77]

I absolutely love this! It always made me mad when people always told me that everything only gets better. I know, somewhere in the inner depths of me, at all times, that everything will get better, that it was only a matter of time, I've always known that. There was never anybody that would say "it sucks!" and be angry with me, and that's what I've needed. I don't get how sometimes some people just don't understand that.... sometimes that makes me really angry...

[@dellahw]

This should have 7 billion views because everyone needs to hear this poem 🙌🏾

[@bloomlikeapril]

I think I could watch this 100 times and it wouldn't lose an ounce of meaning. This is beautiful.

[@megkisner4277]

I enjoyed this poetry collection so much

[@hangrace1817]

been watching this for four years now.. im still in love with it.

[@XDbeoriginal]

nothing has ever moved me so much to the point that i cried... until this.

[@LeahBartlettIsAwesome]

I needed this so much and I know I will need this many more times but in order for me to experience this poem, I need to be here. And right now, that's good enough. THANK YOU, Andrea.

[@eternalaura]

My nephew and my fiancé both died by suicide. Andrea, her words and her performance manage to convey the vulgar grip of anguish and despair on both sides of suicide. I am immediately brought to the depths and heights of what I imagine my guys were feeling and what I also tasted in trying to adjust to life without my best friend and lover of my soul. She should be a spokesperson for Suicide Prevention. I applaud her authenticity.

[@ParasEmJ]

This has saved me today. I'm trembling, but. Thank you. I cannot express in words, I don't know what's coming up next, but. For now, it's tears. I hope..

[@wegothrough2451]

Thank you for every breath you take x

[@camilleadham3048]

I followed every word. Wow, I needed that.

[@djlol983]

Always come back to this.

[@iHugTrees891]

She is brilliant and her poems are incredible.

[@DanielleSherri]

This poem saved my life

[@Theconcertbass]

this is amazing, but even more, you are amazing. I think that this could help people more than you will ever know. Thank you. I don't know how else to say it. Thank you.

[@uyotubbsuhx]

It is my state now, thank you for sharing the seeds of your dandelion

[@marionlark]

Thank you. Thank you. I cannot say it enough. Thank you.

[@cynhanrahan4012]

Last year I listened to this poem every day for months. It worked. Thank you, Andrea. EDIT May 2023 This poem still keeps me here 10 years later. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@MeepMorpDorp]

This is beautiful and inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing your update

[@quacksalveriq]

i love how you hear her breath in the air in that she cries out later so heavy. like, you hear her pain. i almost feel like there weren't even words necessary. she could have just breathed that poem and we would have understood..

[@Cha0ticBreeze]

The words that flow out of your mouth are as beautiful as you are Andrea

[@tribedful]

this poem has saved my life so many times

[@HollyNash9499]

😭 very moving. "My shoes are too tight & I have forgotten how to dance." "When you are surrounded by darkness shine even more brightly."

[@162Jenni]

I cry. Every time.

[@TheVelcro18]

This poem really helps me get though hard days thank you Andrea for the poem

[@LokiNomiPunkChildLawliet]

Amazing, I needed that. So uplifting

[@shellydomino]

i always listen to this when i feel sad and this always makes me feel better, thank you

[@getoutthepitstopp]

I would tell you that you don't understand the gravity of what you give me when I play this - but I only play this because you're the only one that possibly could. I can't thank you enough

[@OceanWorrier]

This poem has saved my life multiple times. Stay here with me.

[@jamesfv1]

Thank you for continuing to save me and so many others on the bad days.

[@elizabethd.6677]

I love this poem and all the rest of hers

[@HeadEmptyOnlyDeez]

This is so beautiful, love it. :)

[@macmo29]

I love the line that the trauma says. I feel this everyday. I never share because my trauma also tells me no one cares about the grief in my past and the memories always tell the the trauma is right.

[@GrlRock]

Goosebump factor....Thanks

[@itsnotme_139]

Words are magical.

[@CourageousClarity]

Oh my god... Lost for words. Thank you Andrea

[@aaamk3938]

Just....Thank you. Thank you so much for this.

[@neelyoohara]

this gives me chills and makes me cry

[@Ameliamaemay1990]

I've been on three of the four meds she mentions. I adore this. Everyone who hurts can feel this.

[@greentea00192837465]

I wish I could like this more than once

[@cassandraglebavicius978]

This did so much for me. Thank you.

[@monicascripture6704]

You are so brave for writing and performing this poem. I too write about mental illness but haven't got the guts to perform to a crowd so hands up to you. This is amazing.

[@Stuman57]

That was the bravest thing I've ever seen!!!! Thank you

[@MaskedCeleste]

I don't know how many times I've watched this, but this is so important that I don't care that I've lost count.

[@eminek8526]

Celeste Garcia

[@xbipolarbearsx]

"Stay with me, okay?" I'm losing it

[@leecasey2797]

Amazing. I needed this. Thank you.

[@jessedelany9466]

This put a chill down my spine.

[@TheBeautieJunkie]

Wow this poem is so strong and emotional. Love it.

[@iBGabbey]

The part that's like "I saw a dandelion lose its mind to the wind, and when it did, it scattered a thousand seeds." It's such a breathtaking line.

[@addisonbedwell7038]

Absolutely amazing!

[@thelozchannel1428]

This made me cry. I love this one.

[@MDyouaremine]

i watch this every time i get home from school cause it gives me hope

[@daddyatom4034]

Has any one ever just sat in your room listening to depressing shit and wondering "why am I still here" then all of a sudden one of the poems hit you and you just like speechless and desire to cut onions in your room.....ALOT OF ONIONS ive been. Men don't cry.......they do.......at least I do I don't consider crying a sign of weakness I consider it a sign of know your breaking point and a way of showing emotions it's not weakness I don't care what people say

[@ashleighgruwell5971]

Today, I got out of a long term relationship. This poem has been on repeat for the last hour. It is so healing to cry sometimes

[@DreamChuckie]

This makes me cry every time. ❤️‍🩹

[@1alchen]

this is so beautiful and so needed.

[@jaclyndamico7921]

This is such a great poem. I can totally realate to this one on a lot of levles

[@ASMinor]

I wish I could have her on my channel. I've tried reaching out, because I focus on mental health in my own poetry. she's so amazing.

[@hccat3336]

This saves my life so many days.

[@ShinedownForever]

I wish I could find the full version of this poem in writing. Anyone know where to find it? I can only find the one where it goes till "Write the poem".

[@KittOMalley]

Thank you to listening to what the bones said and writing and speaking this poem.

[@Shygirl1215]

Needed to hear this today

[@KiRa-do4qg]

Goosebumps.

[@abigailmacalister8761]

This,,, i swear this just saved my life.

[@TokinBongs]

Wow, so much emotion

[@09yulstube]

and I cannot stop crying.

[@tumblebugs2468]

This was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

[@st0nedkitten]

Oh damn, she's so amazing. I loved this.