Sarah Kay Quotes

Powerful Sarah Kay for Daily Growth

About Sarah Kay

Sarah Kay, an American poet, performer, and educator, was born on June 9, 1984, in New York City. Raised by a single mother who instilled in her the values of empathy, resilience, and creativity, Kay developed a love for poetry at a young age. Her work is deeply influenced by her experiences growing up in multicultural environments, her family dynamics, and her travels around the world. Kay's poetry career gained momentum when she won the first Individual World Poetry Slam in 2004, followed by second place at the National Poetry Slam in 2006. Her performances have captivated audiences at TED Talks, the Kennedy Center, and the United Nations. In 2011, Kay co-founded Project VOICE (Vision of Isis Creative Education), an organization that provides creative workshops for youth in Kenya, India, and the United States. One of her most recognized works is "Halfway to Each Other," a poem about long-distance love and connection that has resonated with millions worldwide. Another well-known piece is "The Typewriter," where she explores the power of words, memory, and the act of creation. Kay's first collection of poetry, B, was published in 2015. Today, Sarah Kay continues to write, perform, and educate through her work with the organization she co-founded, as well as teaching creative writing at Columbia University. Her work serves as a testament to the power of words to heal, inspire, and connect us, and she remains a prominent voice in the world of poetry and performance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If your dreams only include safe and certain realities, you're not dreaming big enough."

This quote encourages one to set ambitious goals that stretch beyond the bounds of what is predictable or secure, implying that true dreams should inspire us to strive for extraordinary achievements and to think beyond the limitations imposed by convention or fear. It's a reminder to embrace risk and uncertainty as part of the pursuit of our aspirations, and to have the courage to dream boldly and aim high.

"You don't have to be a poet to have a voice."

This quote by Sarah Kay suggests that everyone has a unique perspective and the ability to express themselves, regardless of their formal training or skill in poetry. It underscores the importance of self-expression and individuality, emphasizing that each person's thoughts, feelings, and experiences carry value, making them essential contributors to the world's collective voice and understanding. Essentially, it empowers people to find their own voice and share it with others, even if they don't consider themselves poets or artists.

"The fear of being human is louder than the fear of drowning."

The quote "The fear of being human is louder than the fear of drowning" by Sarah Kay suggests that our deep-seated anxieties about embodying the complexities of humanity often overshadow more tangible or immediate fears we might have, such as the fear of physical danger or death. This profound statement invites us to confront our apprehensions towards vulnerability, authenticity, and connection with others, which are integral parts of being human, rather than focusing excessively on external threats or challenges that might appear daunting. It's a call to embrace our humanity wholeheartedly in spite of the inherent uncertainties and potential hardships that come with it.

"Words are windows into our minds and hearts."

This quote emphasizes that words serve as a window, revealing insights into one's thoughts and emotions, providing a glimpse into an individual's mind and heart. The choice of words and the way they are expressed can expose personal values, ideas, dreams, and feelings, fostering understanding and empathy between people.

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

This quote emphasizes the bravery required for personal growth and self-discovery. It suggests that in our journey towards maturity, we often face challenges as we embrace our authentic selves, breaking free from societal expectations or past identities. This process demands courage because it involves vulnerability, introspection, and the willingness to accept and love ourselves wholly.

My first spoken word poem, packed with all the wisdom of a 14-year-old, was about the injustice of being seen as unfeminine. The poem was very indignant, and mainly exaggerated, but the only spoken word poetry that I had seen up until that point was mainly indignant, so I thought that that's what was expected of me.

- Sarah Kay

Thought, Injustice, Very, Spoken Word

Perusing colorful storylines on the backs of book jackets, I realized that none of them could possibly be as dramatic as my life to date. Then sadly, I also realized I could never find the ending of my story from the safety of an armchair.

- Sarah Kay

Book, My Life, Date, Armchair

When I hear other people's stories, I like to believe that they contribute to my 'Encyclopedia of Human Experience.' The stories I hear help me expand my definition of what love is, what pain feels like, what sacrifice means, what laughter can do.

- Sarah Kay

Love, Other, Feels, Love Is

Women don't have to be defined by others. We have the power to define ourselves: by telling our own stories, in our own words, with our own voices.

- Sarah Kay

Own, Stories, Telling, Defined

At this point in my life - age 24 - I have chosen a fairly strange path that not many are walking. I am a professional spoken word poet who tours the world performing and teaching. I run an organization called Project VOICE dedicated to using this art form as an education and empowerment tool in schools and communities of all kinds.

- Sarah Kay

Education, Voice, My Life, Communities

I have always been more comfortable with daredevil acts than with the everyday nuances of life. Let me jump out of a plane, speak in front of a roomful of strangers, even trek across Siberia.

- Sarah Kay

Always, Been, Plane, Everyday

I have always liked coming home and sharing what has happened that day with my loved ones. I like comparing notes. I know other people do, too. I think there is a human instinct to tell stories, no matter who you are or where you live.

- Sarah Kay

Other, I Think, Notes, Coming Home

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.

- Sarah Kay

Storytelling, Say, Had, Storytellers

Artistry is important. Skill, hard work, rewriting, editing, and careful, careful craft: All of these are necessary. These are what separate the beginners from experienced artists.

- Sarah Kay

Work, Necessary, Separate, Experienced

Most days it feels as if the world is whirling around me and I am standing still. In slow motion, I watch the colors blur; people and faces all become a massive wash.

- Sarah Kay

Blur, Around, Feels, Faces

Spoken word poetry is the art of performance poetry. I tell people it involves creating poetry that doesn't just want to sit on paper, that something about it demands it be heard out loud or witnessed in person.

- Sarah Kay

Art, Loud, Witnessed, Demands

If I should have a daughter, instead of 'Mom,' she's gonna call me 'Point B,' because that way she knows that no matter what happens, at least she can always find her way to me. And I'm going to paint solar systems 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.'

- Sarah Kay

Hands, Before, Least, Hand

To me, having the courage to tell your own story goes hand in hand with having the curiosity and humility to listen to others' stories.

- Sarah Kay

Curiosity, Stories, Having, Hand

Sometimes the only way I know how to work through something is by writing a poem. And sometimes I get to the end of the poem and look back and go, 'Oh, that's what this is all about,' and sometimes I get to the end of the poem and haven't solved anything, but at least I have a new poem out of it.

- Sarah Kay

Sometimes, Through, About, Solved

I think there is a human instinct to tell stories, no matter who you are or where you live.

- Sarah Kay

Think, I Think, Stories, Instinct

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