Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay is a professor of French at New York University...
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth19 June 1988
CityNew York City, NY
want common poet
Not all poetry wants to be storytelling. And not all storytelling wants to be poetry. But great storytellers and great poets share something in common: They had something to say, and did.
phones space phone-calls
You can only fit so many words in a postcard, only so many in a phone call, only so many into space before you forget that words are sometimes used for things other than filling emptiness.
mistake night decision
Forgive yourself for the decisions you have made, the ones you still call mistakes when you tuck them in at night
photograph
There are parts of me I only recognize from photographs.
school expression high-school
Ever hear that expression, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times"? That's what high school was like for me. Both of those - all the time.
daughter hands should-have
If I should have a daughter… I’m gonna paint the solar system on the backs of her hands so she has to learn the entire universe before she can say ‘oh I know that like the back of my hand.
apology excuse metaphor
You are not made of metaphors, Not apologies, not excuses.
silly mean thinking
Nothing is as universal as some good scatalogical humor. Even if it means having to be a little silly or cheeky, I think it is worth it.
mom daughter should-have
If I should have a daughter…“Instead of “Mom”, she’s gonna call me “Point B.
eye shining done
Remember that good things come in threes and so do bad things and always apologize when you've done something wrong but don't you ever apologize for the way your eyes refuse to stop shining.
block writing thinking
I often tell people to stop being afraid of writing bad poetry, or bad anything. I think that a lot of times, when people claim that they have writer's block, or that they get stuck, it's just because they're scared of writing bad things.
thinking where-you-live matter
I think there is a human instinct to tell stories, no matter who you are or where you live.
writing light important
Every moment I choose to write about is one I have deemed important enough to dwell inside of and share with others. I am holding this moment up to the light and saying, "Wow, will you look at that?"
self-confidence mouths taste
My self-confidence can be measured out in teaspoons mixed into my poetry, and it still always tastes funny in my mouth.