In honor of poet and author Sarah Kay’s birthday on June 19th, we’ve compiled a list of eight of her most empowering and inspiring quotes from her book, No Matter the Wreckage, a collection of some of her poetry. Sarah Kay is a poet who solely performs spoken word poetry. In addition to her poetry, she is the co-creator of Project V.O.I.C.E. to educate and inspire using poetry and spoken word poetry. Sarah Kay is the author of four books and hosts a podcast called Sincerely, X in addition to her other achievements. She has also given TED Talks.
1. “Love Poem #137”
“I will love you with too many commas, but never any asterisks.”
We love this quote because it signifies a love that is endless and a love that is more powerful than any asterisks or a love that has omitted feelings and omitted truths.
2. “Mrs. Ribeiro”
“Listen to one another like you know you are scholars. Artists. Scientists. Athletes. Musicians. Like you know you will be the ones to shape this world.”
This quote empowers us to be able to do anything in the world and to know that we will have an impact on people with what we do.
3. “Hiroshima”
“This isn’t my first time here. This isn’t my last time here. These aren’t the last words I’ll share. But just in case, I’m trying my hardest to get it right this time around.”
We feel inspired by this quote because it shows us that we’re all still learning, and it’s okay if we aren’t perfect because no one is.
4. “B”
“And those are the very days you have all the more reason to say thank you. Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s swept away.”
We are inspired by this fourth quote because it reminds us to keep going, even on days we feel are the most difficult. There is beauty in our struggle.
5. “Ghost Ship”
“No matter your wreckage. There will be someone to find you beautiful, despite the cruddy metal. Your ruin is not to be hidden behind paint and canvas. Let them see the cracks.”
This quote reminds us that even though we aren’t perfect, there is someone out there who will see all our imperfections as exactly that – perfect. This quote also tells us not to be scared of our imperfections and to let everyone see them, for it is beautiful.
6. “B”
“…this life will hit you hard, in the face, wait for you to get back up, just so it can kick you in the stomach, but getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.”
The sixth quote on this list is inspiring because it tells us that the only way to feel alive is to get knocked down. We can’t know what happiness is unless we know was sadness feels like, and this quote inspires us to remember that, especially when we get knocked down.
7. “The Type”
“And know this. Know you are the type of woman who is looking for a place to call yours. Let the statues crumble. You have always been the place. You are a woman who can build it yourself. You were born to build.”
This quote empowers us to be independent and to know that we can do anything, both men and women alike. All humans were born to build, and this quote empowers us to do exactly that.
8. “The Paradox”
“When the last breath comes, at least I will know I was thankful for all the places I was so sure I was not supposed to be. All those places I made it to, all the loves I held, all the words I wrote. And even if it is just for one moment, I will be exactly where I am supposed to be.”
This final quote is inspiring in the way that it tells us to love every step of our journey, even when we’re not sure it is the right step. All of our moments as humans are incredible and beautiful, and we should be thankful for every step and every breath of life we get to take, for it is exactly where we are supposed to be.
Sarah Kay has many beautiful quotes, but these were some of our favorites! Her poetry book has some of the most inspiring poems within its pages. Did any of these quotes empower or inspire you?
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