Andrea Gibson - Blue Blanket

Andrea Gibson performs, "Blue Blanket" from her album, Swarm

[@HJ-si7hd]

It's been nearly 20 years since I heard this for the first time, and it still takes my breath away like it did then. Thank you.

[@eringeremick3000]

"Every touch feels like a sin, bruises on her knees from praying to forget." She is so unbelievably brave, being able to speak, yell, such truth. I can't even find the breath to whisper my story.

[@jamiezarlingo585]

Every time I hear Andrea perform this poem I cry. That last line always takes me out. "She's not asking what you're gonna tell your daughter, she's asking what you're gonna teach your son." Even typing it took my breath away.

[@abbypetty2630]

Andrea, I know this comment will get lost. This was my favorite poem of yours, one I listened to in my bedroom when I was 13, before I even really knew what it meant. I listened to it then and I cried. When I was 16, I lived the agony of your words, and I listened to this poem the whole way through it. I sit here, at 22, and I cry again. For the grief and for the gratitude. Thank you for holding my hand through all of it.

[@clarachicet2466]

I can relate, I've only discovered this poem now, at 23, but it really stroke a chord.

[@noellesilva8547]

I was 13 when I first heard this poem too. 22 when I experienced it, and today(27) when I saw her name came across my feed and I came looking for this video.

[@Star3Light]

13 when I first heard this, 19 when I experienced it, now 33 reading your comment upon seeking the video out after speaking about how impactful I found it during therapy. I can confidently say this poem changed my life. You, me, us, we - are not alone ❤

[@SleightOfHeart.]

"what you're gonna teach your son." my jaw was left wide open.

[@ecofreak303]

"she's not asking what you're gonna tell your daughter, she's asking what you're going to teach your son." that ending... oh my god.

[@damianpedey7660]

Andrea is so powerful when she speaks that it almost feels as if it is happening right now as you sit and listen to the poem. I have been to see her and when she walks on stage she is 9 feet tall, power and presence coming in waves from her. When meeting her afterward she was humble with a kind gentle non invasive presence. There have been so many wonderful poets through the centuries with beautiful souls whose words touch you. Very honestly I believe Andrea Gibson to be the best English-speaking poet in hundreds of years. Her words do not just touch you they change you.

[@delusion01]

this woman could get mountains to breakdown in tears if she wanted. so powerfully moving. everysingle one of her poems just sends chills down my spine. she's exactly the kind of people we need in this world, so many people can relate to her words. i honestly envy her, i wana be just like her, speak your mind and speak THE TRUTH while youre at it...LOVE IT 12/10

[@5447whatsmynumber]

I wish I could articulate what I've taken away from watching/hearing this video for the first time... Instead, all I can do is wipe away my tears and submerge the lump of empathy in my throat.. & say, Andrea Gibson. Your poetry nails reality into the latent corners of everyone's heart & shakes their emotions senseless. You are the soul of a prophet.

[@kafrolich]

Having this exact reaction right this moment.

[@rhiannaa.s7029]

Andrea is the reason I fell I love with poetry. There aren't words good enough to describe how incredible they are. Thank you for sharing your gift Andrea.

[@rraychul]

pick the brightest star you ever wished on and I’ll show the light in you that made that wish come true

[@tintinnabulationable]

This is beautiful- I cried; there is so much passion and knowledge and truth in her words. True poetry in a modern age where most true poetry is lost.

[@ediaz1977]

we need artists like this to bear witness to our lives and help us see

[@LivexLongxProsper]

There are no words potent enough for the emotions I feel when I hear Andrea Gibson perform.

[@w1ldefive]

years of searching and I've finally found a video that puts into words exactually how I've felt every single fucking second of every single fucking day of the last 13 years thank you Andrea

[@jeffreyholbrooks5522]

35 years for me. Thank you Andrea. I am not alone.

[@zirtavia]

This literally speeds my heartbeat up. She creates heightened intensity from the very beginning and manages to just hold onto it and build it and build it. She just performed at my school, and I wish I had known about her before, because it took a few more rounds of listening to these poems before the greatness of them sank in.

[@erisedilla]

wow. I'm so glad that there are people this talented and this eloquent out there. it gives me hope.

[@Lucia477]

I got chills and I almost cried. This woman is so powerful.

[@MKingnooga]

To the guy on here who said it wasn't an epidemic: 30,000 children a year are born because their mother was raped. Statistically, 1 in 3 women will suffer rape or sexual assault before age 25. Once you have been a victim of this, your chances of it happening again go up by 30% because your body language is never the same after that. Over 90% of rapists never see jail time. Only roughly 26% of offenders are strangers meaning that 74% of the time, a victim knows the person who is assaulting them. If to you, this is not an epidemic, then you are part of the reason why we're living in a rape culture.

[@sandyg4646]

source please?

[@MKingnooga]

Sandy Gonsalves most of this is common knowledge, but maybe check out rain.org

[@sandyg4646]

Elizabeth Adkins What about other sources, cause those stats don't seem accurate to me.

[@DarkWaterfall]

Sandy Gonsalves I know you commented 3 months ago, but wanted to reply anyway. rainn.org is the world's largest rape and sexual assault support website. If any site is accurate, this one will be.

[@sandyg4646]

DarkWaterfall No, rain HAS recieved criticism for their statistics before.

[@KyoSohma2211]

I felt my heart wrench at feeling the tingling of our amputated wings. I absolutely love her. I can relate to so many of her words. I wish I was brave enough to speak my mind so freely, without worrying what my family will think or what my classmates will say.

[@kaylalala499]

andrea your words have inspired and soothed me more times than I could count. thank you.

[@orhugs]

HOOOOOOO. THAT LAST LINE. BOOM!!!

[@likeolikehinmygut]

My whole childhood. Every holiday. Every birthday. Tonight I'm too numb to cry. I do every time I listen to this poem, when I can feel.

[@piephone]

I love this one. I just saw her life, and I am so impressed with her. So talented.

[@chrisslalande]

Andrea is such a beautiful incredible person. I'm speechless

[@AllyVertigan]

I had never heard this before. Every day I fall more in love with Andrea Gibson.

[@clarisse420]

A facebook friend posted this on her wall today. This hit me harder than I expected. I'm sure glad I'm at home alone right now, my shirt is soaked after 3 minutes and 42 seconds of one of the most intense videos I have ever watched. Powerful, real and raw. Thank you for this.

[@brin2982]

It's been 4 years and I swear I still feel the pressure of the arm against my thigh. I still return to this poem in those moments

[@ArtIsMyEndorphins]

And whenever someone touches me, especially men, I get really uncomfortable. And intimacy of any kind, but especially with a man, destroys me. I cannot trust anyone and I am so confused at what love really is. Every letter and every word of his poem is so precisely how I feel. Thank you, Andrea Gibson, for letting me know I really am not alone.

[@napalmnacey]

I'm stuck in a system that's falling apart, offering too little help for survivors like me. I've been living day to day, painting on a face of "I'm okay" in the hope I can make it to the next appointment to see a psych. I don't trust the psych, the last one saw to that. This poem recounted every pain, every fear, every injustice burning inside me. This poem spoke for my torment. I felt so damned alone these past few days and now I know I'm not. Thank you barely covers it.

[@justzoayyy]

Andrea's performances have always managed to bring me to tears.

[@bLoomiNgbLakroZ]

since last night.. i have played this for a dozen times already.. and it makes my hair on my arms stand..

[@AmethystWoman]

Tho I've heard it 100+ plus times, many in person, this poem never ceases to be an arrow in my heart. "The overhead fan feeling like his breath on my neck." What ARE you teaching your sons. Thank you Andrea. I also love your moments on TikTok. 💜🏳️‍🌈 Funny, I just noticed I commented on this 14 years ago. I told you. Powerful beyond measure.

[@English3Muffin]

This is powerful. This woman is absolutely amazing. Favorited and thumbed up definitely.

[@Sian103]

i don't think i could ever say how much i love this one

[@emilysmith3398]

I use this piece as my poetry piece in Oral Interpretation in speech and debate. It’s a great piece and I love performing it and spreading this message.

[@HPNEEK]

These are the most beautiful, breathtaking and powerful words I have ever heard.

[@thislifewasledastray]

I have never had anything horrible like this happen to me, but I damn sure feel slapped in the face like a giant wake up call from this poem. I'm barely old enough for sex, let alone kids but I know when those days come, and if KZbin is still around, my kids will be seeing her videos. Andrea Gibson is pure talent, the most amazing use of words since the dictionary was first written, she will forever remain as an inspiration to me.

[@jennahasley9142]

I'm bawling. this was just fantastic. every. single. word.

[@st3pfwd]

Absolutely phenomenal. Captures it so well... Amazing.

[@lesbipoet13]

"How many women are walking around with amputated wings?" omg she's so amazing

[@stacym735]

I keep thinking that one day I'm going to get all the way through this poem without ugly-crying by the end. I haven't had that day yet - "amputated wings" are the two words that nail me every time.

[@AkatsukiLoverX3]

...Too many tears...This made me shed too many tears....

[@ickaickaicka]

Gives me chills every time.

[@anamiasui]

i'm speechless. tears are brought to my eyes everytime i hear this.

[@RainyDayGaming]

My heart breaks. This is too close to home.

[@Sammichx]

I'm such a huge fan of hers...this was awesome.

[@shebrew7]

VERY powerful ending, soooo amazing. My jaw literally dropped and I said, "wow."

[@leemcgavinjoey]

"She'd ask her "What Gods do you believe in?" I'll build you a temple of mirrors so you could see them."

[@eximago]

My favorite line, outside of the incredible ending, of course.

[@w1ldefive]

god, I can not imagine how hard living every day is for you but the fact that you have survived 45 years of feeling that way just goes to show how strong you are and even though I don't know you I'm proud of you :)

[@Doodllama]

WOW. that was ... amazing. utterly indescribable.

[@tonyburrowes]

I have writen and studied a lot of poems and this one of the most deep and truthful poems I have read and seen in a very long time. Every word meant something. The only thing that is not perfect about this poem, is the fact that it had to be writen.

[@MaryGraham-yz8bo]

Thank-you Andrea for that beautiful journey off Absolute TRUTH

[@ArtIsLife11]

she is so amazing. she just evokes something in you that is .....indescribable.

[@chrismke]

This comment articulated everything I feel about this poem. Thank you... so much

[@anuskaroy2208]

Got goosebumps. Fantastic as always

[@moonperuana722]

She is coming to my college and I am going to see her at 8:00 tonight. I love Wells College for bringing her. It's a free show for us. :D

[@dougalina123]

WOW!!! POWERFUL MESSAGE!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@jstjess1]

AMAZING...it seems like such a silly small word but that is the only voice I have left after this... thank you.

[@schniii]

wow, she does it every time. thank you andrea.

[@smorasaurus]

So many chills. So many tears.

[@universal806]

"She's not asking what you're gonna tell your daughter, she's asking what you're gonna teach your son." Damn. Brilliant. It's actually something that's crossed my mind before, why is it that most people, schools, and other establishments are teaching 'Don't get raped' instead of 'Don't be the rapist.'

[@ClockworkStoried]

this poem is one of the reasons why she's the best poet in the 30 years or so (in my opinion)

[@Rock_Girl_Daze]

so agree with clarisse 420. so touched by Andrea's words, and left crying at the end. the world needs healing.... do not rape!

[@oceanbreathessalty]

This really affected me. I am beyond crying right now. That shook me violently.

[@holliehale]

simply amazing and i cry every time. beautiful.

[@barnapkinpoet]

this poem always gets to me, but seeing andrea perform it.. the front of my shirt is covered in teardrop spots.

[@KristenMitchellx3]

"The ceiling fan still feels like his breath."

[@Shivierie]

I cannot stop watching this

[@amandawhittaker3833]

Stunned silent and covered with goosebumps. Amazing.

[@CheyenneNicholas]

I literally cry every time dear god

[@letterblockbabe]

I survived. It is strong voice that ensures that I still survive. You are so brave Andrea.

[@annazinn1993]

Goosebumps every time...

[@bookwormgirl000]

this has left me so DEEPLY IN AWE

Always chills me to the core.

[@anniemcu]

Such power! Painful, beautiful portrait of such an important question.

[@michellegibby13]

Oh Andrea. I went up & talked to you before your show at the red rock women's festival In Utah about 5 yrs ago. Going to ur Seattle show in Aug. LOve you!

[@NormanBatesIsMyMum]

"our bodies battlefields/war grounds" "now every touch feels like a sin/that could crucify medusa" A good poem, but a performance unmatched!

[@aidanbolduc1735]

Thank you, Andrea. Thank you for being brave and kind and empathetic. Thank you for being a truth teller, and making the world a little safer for all of us. I aspire to be as courageously open and honest.

[@carolscott1678]

excellent, strong ,powerful and moving. last line was spot on!

[@RyanDainjur]

....wow. i don't have any words other than, amazing

[@buckweed15]

one of my favrouite poems.

[@randysavage1275]

so many goosebumps in that last line. damn.

[@sacepooh24]

That End Threw Me For A Loop !

[@IAMBABYHANDS]

it always makes me cry. incredible.

[@hotnpinkfeathers]

it's 3 am and after hearing this slam for the first time i am in tears.

[@onedaymore78]

speechless. absolutely speechless.

[@AmethystWoman]

I am in awe! so powerful.

[@squ33ble]

I'm hoping to finally learn this entire piece to perform it at an open mic, but even while trying to learn it, it's hard to not cry. I don't know how Andrea does it, but she is incredible.

[@butterfly1029507]

That was amazing!! I cried!!!!

[@perilouslymisspelled]

I'm crying. This is beautiful.

[@BasketKiwi]

PERFECT ending. Perfect poem...

[@elliemakesmusic]

so much emotion. incredible.

[@KennaKatherine]

This is so incredibly powerful.

[@TheAtticusFlame]

Stunning.

[@LadiMaggie]

There is emotion, anger, passion in these words, but yes it is a powerful poem.

[@SocialAesthetics]

Without fail, everytime I see this, I cry.

[@candidasax]

Wow! So powerful and inspirational.

[@hoeheather]

this is amazing.

[@fostroodlemynoodle]

I'm sitting here at 5 a.m with Insomnia watching this, wow, 9 people must have been sleep walking because that was amazing.

[@DegentDen]

Wow her words are beautiful