The Healing Power of Poetry: A Tribute to Andrea Gibson

Meghan Stewart
Aug 6
3 min read

Updated: Sep 24

Ever since my early teens, poetry has been a place of healing for me. I found kinship in the darkness of the words of poets like Sylvia Plath and Adrienne Rich. They articulated feelings that resided deep in my heart but remained unspoken. Throughout my life, I have held the words of poetry tightly. Pages filled with poetic sentiments have comforted me during moments of darkness, rage, and fear.

The Absence of Poetry in Life

Many times in my life, I have experienced a void where poetry should have been. Perhaps I was moving too fast, distracted by daily tasks like figuring out what to feed the kids or managing my overwhelming to-do list.

A good friend introduced me to Andrea Gibson's poetry. One poem, in particular, shattered my preconceived notion that all poetry was cloaked in sadness. Andrea's poem, “Acceptance Speech After Setting the World Record in Goosebumps,” reveals a heart that opens to notice simple, beautiful moments. I invite you to take a listen. I was in awe then, and I remain in awe of this remarkable human who recently passed away.

Poetry in Therapeutic Practice

Andrea's work inspired me to incorporate more poetry into my practice, especially when navigating the complexities of grief, chronic illness, and evolving relationships with others and ourselves. Whether dealing with traumatic loss, estrangement, or the intersection of grief and resilience, Andrea's poems resonate within my therapeutic practice. Their words hold space for many feelings simultaneously, with honesty and love.

I encourage you to find an Andrea Gibson poem that resonates with your grief, love, loss, or healing. Here are a few that have left a lasting impact on me:

“Acceptance Speech After Setting the World Record in Goosebumps” – honors the softening of the heart to moments of beauty (see above video).
"The Madness Vase" – speaks to survival, hope, and choosing life amid darkness.
"Angel of the Get-Through" – supports those surviving trauma or illness.
"Photoshopping My Sister’s Mugshot" – confronts the harsh realities of addiction, love, and loss.
"Letter to My Dog Exploring the Human Condition" – explores grief through caregiving and companionship.
"The Moon Is a Kite" – celebrates the intertwining of beauty and loss.

Poetry as a Therapeutic Tool

Poetry can bypass our intellectual defenses and reach the heart center. It offers a language that speaks directly to our bodies and emotional cores. In my therapeutic practice, I use poems not just as reflective prompts but as embodied tools—for body scans, sensory awareness, emotional connection, and anchoring techniques.

As a somatic therapist, inspired by Peter Levine's work, I believe healing occurs through the nervous system's ability to feel safely and to move gently through dysregulated states. Poetry allows us to transform overwhelming emotions into digestible images. It provides rhythm and repetition—qualities that can soothe the autonomic nervous system, similar to a steady breath or a calming voice. A single line of poetry can serve as a point of orientation for someone lost in the fog of grief. A stanza can act as a pendulation tool, helping clients shift their focus between emotional intensity and internal resources.

I often invite clients to notice where a particular poem “lands” in their bodies. Does that line evoke warmth, tension, or space in a specific area? I encourage clients to pause, track, and honor those sensations, knowing these embodied responses can reveal obstacles and pathways to recovery. Poetry can serve as a somatic map, guiding us back to the parts of ourselves that feel like the heartbeats of home.

The Grief of Loss

The grief I carry for Andrea's loss is profound. I have only ever met them through their words and videos, yet their poetry has been a guiding light for me.

If you are experiencing grief, loss, disconnection, or overwhelm, please reach out to a counselor or someone who can honor your story. You may not be into poetry, and that's okay. Find someone who meets you where you are. Listen to your heart in this journey.

Conclusion

I am a counselor who primarily works with the complexities of grief, chronic illness, and family relationships. I am also a mother of four, an educator, and a cold plunger. Born with tetralogy of Fallot, I have gained a unique attunement and sensitivity to myself and others through my experiences. I am in private practice, working with families and individuals across BC, both virtually and in person in North Vancouver at Hands to Heart Therapy.

In the end, poetry is not just an art form; it is a powerful tool for healing and connection. It can help us navigate our deepest sorrows and celebrate our most profound joys. Embrace the words that resonate with you, and let them guide you on your journey.