Sarah Kay is an American poet, most well-known for her delivery of the poem ‘B’ at a TED conference as part of their "Beauty, Imagination, Enchantment" series in 2011. The poem was subsequently published as a short book, with illustrations by Sophia Janowitz.
The poem is about a mother giving advice to her future daughter on various struggles she may face throughout her life. Kay stresses that regardless of the turmoil’s her daughter faces, she will always have a “Point B”, her mother, should she ever need help. Additionally, Kay reminds her future daughter that the only way to succeed in life is by “getting the wind knocked out of you” in order to get a “taste of” the best parts of life. Ultimately, the poem is one of the lifelong bond between mother and daughter and how her daughter will never have to “wear the cape all by herself” because her mother will be there to guide her.
She mainly works as a spoken word poet, having first performed her poem “Hands” on television at HBO's Def Poetry Jam in 2007. However, she has also had some recognition for her written poetry that have been published in features such as Foundling Review and DamselFly Press.
