Love
Love is a key motif of Kay's poetry. She writes about the exhilarating experiences of love, but also the aftermath of love and heartbreak.
The Ocean
In "The Type," Kay uses the ocean as a symbol for love. She writes that "when you fall in love, it is discovering the ocean after years of puddle jumping." This symbol explores the depth of love, and the intensity of emotion it encompasses compared to other relationships.
Sugar
Kay uses the image of sugar to symbolize the simultaneous fragility and sweetness of life:
"I want you to know that this world is made out of sugar. It can crumble so easily but don't be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it."
Point B
"B" is the title of Kay's most famous poem, and the "B" here symbolizes the reliability and trustworthiness of the speaker. She tells her imagined daughter that "she's gonna call me "Point B," because that way, she knows no matter what happens, at least she can always find her way to me."
Chocolate
In "B (If I Should Have a Daughter)" Kay writes that she will always keep an "extra supply of chocolate... nearby," for her daughter. In this poem, chocolate symbolizes a remedy to heartbreak and sadness.
