In the days since the death of Andrea Gibson, Colorado’s Poet Laureate, our community has experienced tremendous grief. But I have also seen equally tremendous gratitude for and celebration of the amazing person we were so lucky to know. I have heard many wonderful stories of how Andrea was an inspiration, all across the state. We all know how lucky we were to share Andrea’s light. And we are committed to spreading love and supporting each other, just as Andrea would want.
“We have to create. It’s the only thing louder than destruction.”
–Andrea Gibson
Speaking of creating, there are many great opportunities coming up in Colorado to write and perform together:
- August 3rd, Lady Justice Brewery— All are invited to the release party for Matriarch: Meditations on Motherhood by Twenty Bellows Press. I will be reading an excerpt from my poem “The Nature of the Mother,” which is included in the anthology.
- September 5, Windsor Heritage Center— Consider attending the opening reception for the UPLIFT exhibit. My poem “Hummingbird Jazz”(and the poetry of many others) will be displayed alongside the art.
- Sept 13, Lafayette Public Library — Columbine Poets presents its annual Poets Fest, with a workshop and reading by George Kalamaras (former Poet Laureate of Indiana). Registration opens soon.
- Sept 20, Prismajic Speakeasy— South Broadway Press presents The Poet’s Bash, an evening of readings and refreshments at a fabulous location in Lakewood. Performers TBA.
I also want to single out a specific press for my personal gratitude: South Broadway Ghost Society recently accepted my work and then gave me the additional honor of also nominating my work for the Best of the Net Award. (Thank you, SoBoGhoSo!) You can read my poem “Cherry Picking in Washington DC” right HERE.
Other Recent Publications- My poem “The Poet at Your Inauguration” was recently printed in Progenitor v.60 and online. Read it HERE.
- My poem “The Nuclear Tomb” received an Honorable Mention in the annual Nebraska Open Poetry Contest. Read it HERE (prepare to scroll down a bit).
- My ekphrastic poem “True Music,” written in response to Janine Thornton’s photograph ‘Hands Off Our Bodies‘, was displayed at the Degenerates Art Exhibit at Edge Contemporary Art Gallery in Lakewood.
Coming Soon - My ekphrastic poem “Monstrosity” (inspired by ‘Toxicosis‘, a painting of Medusa by Alex Bugg) will be printed in the 40West Anthology later this year.
- An excerpt from my poem “When the Full Moon Come Calling” has been selected for publication in the 2026 We’Moon Day Calendar. The calendar will be available for purchase on January 1st of 2026.
- My poem “Permit for Concealed Depression” will be published in the Disability Pride Anthology, coming soon from Beyond the Veil Press.
That was a long one, whew! If you made it all the way to the end of this post, you truly are a fan of Colorado poetry. Thank you! I hope to see you at one of these wonderful Colorado events soon.
Amy Wray Irish 