We Will Be Shelter: Poems for Survival

by Andrea Gibson (Editor), Lauren Zúñiga, J.A. Carter-Winward

We Will be Shelter, edited by poet and activist Andrea Gibson, is an anthology of contemporary poems that addresses issues of social justice. Unique to this anthology is its focus on creating positive social change through gorgeous, gusty poetry. Alongside and embedded in featured poems are concrete ways to address social and political issues raised. The goal of We Will be Shelter is to raise awareness, encourage critical self-reflection, and call readers to action.

Genres: Poetry, Queer, LGBT, Social Justice, Justice

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

Andrea Faye Gibson was an American poet and activist. Their poetry focused on gender norms, politics, social justice, LGBTQ topics, life, and mortality. Gibson was appointed as the Poet Laureate of Colorado in 2023.

Reviews

[Courtney Kruzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My primary criticism is that there were several typos and general formatting mistakes. Otherwise, there were some great poems in this anthology.

[Dana Neily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
A great idea for an anthology that was very well executed. Some poems really hit me in the heart and others I forgot as soon as I turned the page, but most had something of value that I could take and reflect on, and all had resources so I could learn more about organizations that are making the world better. My favourite poems were those written by Genevieve Sambrook, Alessandra Naccarato, Ntalie E. Ilum, and (of course) Andrea Gibson.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry. Many of them really hit home.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*


[…]

Say

I am holy.

My walls are that of a temple.

Sacred does not mean pristine.

I am beautiful.

I am landslide and crater shake.

I am human in all the faults that build me.

I am loved.

If this feels wrong or foreign,

that is okay.

Sail on the violence of its awkward,
court it as your new addiction
And breathe. -from “The Ritual” by Denise Jolly

“We Will Be Shelter, edited by poet and activist Andrea Gibson, is an anthology of contemporary poems that addresses issues of social justice. Unique to this anthology is its focus on creating positive social change through gorgeous, gutsy poetry. Alongside and embedded in featured poems are concrete ways to address the social and political issues raised. The goal of We Will Be Shelter is to raise awareness, encourage critical self-reflection, and call readers to action.”

Don’t let the months it took me to get through this fool you into thinking I was struggling or didn’t care much for this. Forget Milk & Honey, read this.

Before every poem, the author is introduced and their choice of social organization, which in turn is thematized in their poems. Organizations include RAINN, RECLAIM, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The Body is Not an Apology, and many others. The royalties from the book also go to these charities.

The anthology is divided into 5 parts:
1. YOU ARE THE PLACE
2. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HEAT?
3. PENDULUM HEART
4. THEY SAY IT IS NOT ONE THING
5. AS THE SEA WALKS TOWARDS US

For me, the strongest poems were part of the first half of the book, but overall they were all pretty good and most importantly: important to read. If you are familiar with and like Andrea Gibson’s style of poetry, you will also like the majority of the poems in this collection. Subjects range from sexual assault, to LGBTQ, to body dysmorphia, to child abuse, to depression, etc. If you’re not into the raw, unapologetic social-justice poetry style, please save the copy for someone who does. Who needs it.

I got this book a couple of Christmases ago and I had never heard of it. My mom thought I would like it because I have highlighted the shit out of Andrea Gibson’s The Madness Vase. She was right. I didn’t give this the full five stars because I did not like every single poem in this collection and because the editing job was pretty lousy sometimes (some errors here and there), but honestly, if you follow my reviews you will have noticed that I rarely give a book a 5-star-review (and 3 stars is ‘good’ in my opinion).

[…]
know you are the type of woman
who is looking for a place to call yours.

Let the statues crumble.
You have always been the place.

[…] - from “The Type” by Sarah Kay

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really important book for me to read. Being obsessed with Andrea Gibson at the moment, she was the main reason I read it, but I got so much more from it than I expected. It left me with an even bigger passion to promote social justice & to learn more about problems in our society I haven't ever properly thought about.

The concept of connecting poetry to actual causes & organisations is brilliant, as are most of the poems themselves. Like with every compilation of poems, some speak to me more than others, but I felt like every single one of them was important to read.

I'm surely going to further research some of the writers & charities featured in this book, so even for that it is so worth reading.

[Allissa Balint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept. I liked the collection, but reading about the causes on every page is distracting and overwhelming at times. It's almost a catalog of causes. It feels artificial browsing through like voting for a winning child with their pictures on jars at the super market. I really thought that I would enjoy this book to the fullest. I love the idea and I'm glad it's made and I got to read it, but it feels like I'm trying to be sold something that shouldn't be sold.

[Ruadhan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful anthology of modern poetry that delights in the complexity of humanity. It’s a conversation about our current society; body, politics, identity - all the places where there is conflict and growth. As with any anthology, some of these will be a miss, but most hit, and that comes down to taste in poetry more than anything else. A great read if you’re looking to place yourself or reflect in current times.

[Tonee Mae Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people don't dig social-justice-minded poetry; this collection isn't for them.

For those who do, the book opens with an anthem, a hit single that you'll want to play for your friends, and it continues its pace from there. It is a collection for queers and feminists of all sorts to nod their head to. It's a punk rock compilation album. A denim vest covered in pins and patches.

[Sophie Schnake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the actual poetry, but the simple proof-reading/editing was the worst I've seen in a published book -- words blended together, formatting mistakes, and even an entire poem inexplicably not there. I'm not trying to be a hard ass, but especially with poetry, it's important to know what formatting is deliberate for emphasis, and with rampant typos that becomes impossible.

[Summy Rambo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a while back maybe 2014 or soo
I loved the collection of poets and pc they have choice to add to this book it really does the name justice and loved how the seprated every issue and subject in categories its an amazing book with stories that would make u cry

[Chelsea Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's so much to appreciate in this collection, and it's frustrating that this was dimmed by persistent layout and copy editing mistakes.
Weekly PSA: pay a fucking copy editor.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

A fantastic collection of hard-hitting poems from a variety of poets. I really enjoyed the premise of this anthology. The poems address various social justice issues and each pairs their work with a specific organization related to that issue. The book not only brings up important issues but also provides concrete ways to help address them. A great example of the impact poetry can have in consciousness raising and real-world change.

There were many powerful poems within these pages. Discussing issues of race, war, cancer, gender, mental health, body image, and so much more, there is a lot packed into these pages. My personal favorite was "The Newer Colossus" by Karen Finneyfrock.

My only critique of the book itself was that there were quite a few formatting issues and typos that made it into the final version. These do not take away from the messages of the poems, but does make the reading experience slightly awkward.

On the whole, a fantastic read. I've added quite a few books to my TBR from the poets featured in this collection.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

For every kid whose heart is sharp-edged and angry
Arms already red picket fences to ward off the wicked,
Hold tight. Know that fickle mirrors map your freckles backward
So that you will never see you the way I do.
You beautiful owner of busy breath,
You shadow girl with a storm inside,
You bruised soul inside a soapbox,
We need your voice. You miraculous dance floor of glittering molecules
All those microscopic fireflies Hold tight. Magician your mouth
So that black hat vacuum lets loose doves when you speak.
ANNA SHERIDAN GALLAGHER, HOLD TIGHT

Some days, I think the bravest thing a person can do is speak their own melanin into a mirror. I am the clatter of gay, brown daughter to straight, white mother still trying to find the perfect kitchen to dance in. And I hope to God there is more in me than a wanting to be someone else. - Adele Hampton

2 examples of the heart-breaking and heart-building poems in this anthology from the heroes and saints and angels who teach us every day how to love.

[Diana Marie Denza · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a few extraordinary pieces in this anthology, as well as a number of solidly good ones. The poems touched upon a variety of social justice issues, including LGBTQ rights, people of color and the unreasonable, Eurocentric beauty standards imposed upon them, chronic illness, sexual harassment and assault, aging and much more. I had to give this only 4/5 stars because I am so disappointed by the editing. There were numerous glaring typographical errors and spacing issues. One poem title even ended up on the wrong page! I expected a lot more from Andrea Gibson, who is a phenomenal poet, and the copyeditors at Write Bloody Books.

[MaryBeth Nolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology is compiled with such attention and thoughtfulness by Andrea Gibson. I really appreciated the causes presented by each poet which somehow added even more depth to their beautiful and raw words about social justice, racial justice, sickness, pain, and more. I especially enjoyed “Daisies” by Genevieve Sambrook, “Wild Geese (after Mary Oliver),” by Cristin O’Keege Aptowicz, and “Crown Cinquain for Chemo,” by Joanna Hoffman.

[Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. So many fantastic poets and such a theme of... perseverance, of hope, of community, even through the darkest of poems.

Truly a joy to read, and one I know I will return to, and I have found more poets to add to my read list from this.

[Milo McIndoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is amazing. Raw vulgar vulnerability in its purest forms. Beautiful writing from a wide range of authors, buying the book supports a direct cause, love the book. Currently reading and marking it up, would recommend for any book lover that wants a book not to be afraid of how it comes out, just authentic feelings. Not too much triggering, but please read the description first.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful complications of poems. Compilation is over 10 years old but all of them are still INCREDIBLY relevant to the social and political climate we are in right now. A few of them didn't hit for me, but for the most part they were very powerful for me and they really tied them in to the charities the book is promoting. (also love that sales of this book are going toward various charities.)

Agree with some sentiments that some of the author bio/charity info did feel intrusive in the book of poetry, but if the editor felt it was necessary to include it, I'm not sure where else you might put it. But I do understand highlighting some of the charities was part of the point, so I don't think removing them entirely would be the move.

If poetry and spoken word are your thing, would recommend!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure.

[Rachel Jacquest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great poems and great causes. As a Brit, I would love a book like this which focused closer to home/wider internationally, as most of the organisations mentioned are US-based.

[Jade Geary]

Love that this book was full of causes to support!

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good way to be exposed to new poets but think something is lost without a live performance

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely collection and concept.

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for Loch Ness Monsters and
Something Like Fire
By Lenelle Moise (pronounced "moy-eez")
and Tana Hardy

[Florence🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not so much in that there were many overall poems that I thought were amazing as in there were couple lines in each of them that punched me in the gut. A nice collection.

[Ronnie Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept behind this anthology is absolutely incredible. Activism and poetry rarely find such harmony in print, yet Gibson has bridged the two seamlessly here. The book itself is divided into sections, each tackling specific issues ranging from body shame to mental health, and each poem is paired with a hand-selected organization or project related to the poem's theme. That in itself would be enough to recommend this book, but Gibson has also ferreted out some of the post powerful poetry in America. The quality is precisely what you would expect from one of the world's most talented writers.

This book is perfect for any audience. It is filled with strength, survival, compassion. Share it everywhere you can.

[Koa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each poem in We Will Be Shelter is accompanied by a short blurb about the author and an organization or cause that relates to the poem and/or its author. Through this I discovered many amazing organizations and fell in love with many poets. I think this is an important and worthwhile addition to any poetry collection and is a book that should be shared with many.


(My only complaint is that Write Bloody doesn't always do such a great job editing, I found many errors.)

[Igo Lubczański · Rating 4 out of 5]

Przejrzysty zbiór wierszy poruszających tematykę niesprawiedliwości społecznej - brakowało mi czasem dokładnego zarysowania jakiego problemu dotyczy dokładnie jakiś problem (szerszy rys biograficzny twórcy), ale to mankament raczej charakterystyczny dla osoby czytającej w oryginale, nie używające angielskiego jako pierwszego języka.
Warto zajrzeć, jako że sam tom czyta się bardzo dobrze i gdy będę miała okazję na pewno znów do niego zajrzę.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am human in all the faults that build me.
I am loved.
If this feels wrong or foreign,
that is okay.
Sail on the violence of its awkward,
court it as your new addiction
And breathe."

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea, stop it. You're too good at this and it makes me feel like an inadequate poet.