Sarah Kay is an American poet who specializes in spoken-word poetry. Her poetry is moving and inspirational, discussing themes such as heartbreak, femininity, parenting, memories, and love.
B (If I Should Have a Daughter)
This is Kay's most well-known poem and was performed on TED in 2011. "B" is a beautiful poem written from the perspective of a mother, who is giving advice to her daughter. In the poem, she tells her daughter how to handle certain life events, such as falling in love, or how to deal with failure.
The poem is relatable without being too general, and inspirational without being cliché. The speaker gives her daughter some incredible advice, such as: "Your voice is small but don't ever stop singing and when they finally hand you heartbreak, slip hatred and war under your doorstep... and tell them that they really ought to meet your mother."
Private Parts
"Private Parts," is a poem about the immersive and sometimes intrusive elements of love. In this poem, the speaker writes about a partner she essentially grew up with, meaning she forgot there were some parts of herself that belonged to her only. Here, Kay warns her readers not to lose themselves while falling in love.
The Type
"The Type" is another empowering poem about love and heartbreak. In the poem, the speaker gives advice, telling the reader to remember that they are enough themselves, and don't need to depend on somebody else. She empathizes with the recipient of her advice, promoting self-acceptance: "So forgive yourself for the decisions you've made... the ones you still call mistakes when you tuck them in at night."
