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A Little Daylight Left: Poems
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A vulnerable, searching collection about facing the beautiful and difficult parts of our humanness with curiosity and compassion, from the celebrated spoken word poet Sarah Kay.
from somewhere down a hallway of locked doors, a voice asks, / What if you aren’t as bad as you suspect you are? / What if you’ll never be as good as you ache?
Beloved spoken word poet Sarah Kay brings us her long-awaited second full-length poetry collection, a decade after her acclaimed debut No Matter the Wreckage. In A Little Daylight Left, Kay explores life's most vulnerable moments of transition with courage, curiosity, joy, and humor. Each poem invites readers to consider what it might look like to boldly face the hard things we so often run from—a heartbreak, an ailing loved one, the fear that comes with new beginnings and uncertain futures. The result is a blueprint for discovering beauty in all that makes us human. With her signature wit and wisdom, Kay shows us how to navigate life bravely, with every single part of ourselves.
from somewhere down a hallway of locked doors, a voice asks, / What if you aren’t as bad as you suspect you are? / What if you’ll never be as good as you ache?
Beloved spoken word poet Sarah Kay brings us her long-awaited second full-length poetry collection, a decade after her acclaimed debut No Matter the Wreckage. In A Little Daylight Left, Kay explores life's most vulnerable moments of transition with courage, curiosity, joy, and humor. Each poem invites readers to consider what it might look like to boldly face the hard things we so often run from—a heartbreak, an ailing loved one, the fear that comes with new beginnings and uncertain futures. The result is a blueprint for discovering beauty in all that makes us human. With her signature wit and wisdom, Kay shows us how to navigate life bravely, with every single part of ourselves.
- GenresPoetry
112 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 1, 2025
About the author
Sarah Kay
62 books2,489 followersSarah Kay is an American poet. Known for her spoken word poetry, Kay is the founder and co-director of Project V.O.I.C.E., a group dedicated to using spoken word as an inspirational tool.
Sarah Kay, a graduate of Brown University, was born in New York to a Japanese American mother and a Jewish American father. She began performing poetry at the Bowery Poetry Club in the East Village at the age of 14, joining their Slam Team in 2006.[5] That year, she was the youngest person competing in the National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas. In 2007 Kay made her television debut, performing the poem "Hands" on HBO's Def Poetry Jam.[6] She has performed at events and venues like the Lincoln Center, the Tribeca Film Festival, and at the United Nations where she was a featured performer for the launch of the 2004 World Youth Report.[7][8]
In May 2010, she performed at *spark!, a benefit for the Acumen Fund in New York, New York.[9]
On March 3, 2011, she performed at the TED conference in Long Beach, California as part of a series entitled "Beauty, Imagination, Enchantment." Along with a talk about her upbringing, she performed the poems "B" and "Hiroshima".[10]
Kay recently performed at The Nantucket Project, a festival of ideas in Nantucket, Massachusetts.[11]
Although Kay works primarily in spoken word poetry, she has had written poems published in magazines such as Foundling Review, DamselFly Press, and decomP literary magazine.[12][13][14]
In 2011, Kay published "B", a short hardcover book containing the titular poem, which was originally written in 2007. The book features illustrations by Sophia Janowitz.[15]
Sarah Kay, a graduate of Brown University, was born in New York to a Japanese American mother and a Jewish American father. She began performing poetry at the Bowery Poetry Club in the East Village at the age of 14, joining their Slam Team in 2006.[5] That year, she was the youngest person competing in the National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas. In 2007 Kay made her television debut, performing the poem "Hands" on HBO's Def Poetry Jam.[6] She has performed at events and venues like the Lincoln Center, the Tribeca Film Festival, and at the United Nations where she was a featured performer for the launch of the 2004 World Youth Report.[7][8]
In May 2010, she performed at *spark!, a benefit for the Acumen Fund in New York, New York.[9]
On March 3, 2011, she performed at the TED conference in Long Beach, California as part of a series entitled "Beauty, Imagination, Enchantment." Along with a talk about her upbringing, she performed the poems "B" and "Hiroshima".[10]
Kay recently performed at The Nantucket Project, a festival of ideas in Nantucket, Massachusetts.[11]
Although Kay works primarily in spoken word poetry, she has had written poems published in magazines such as Foundling Review, DamselFly Press, and decomP literary magazine.[12][13][14]
In 2011, Kay published "B", a short hardcover book containing the titular poem, which was originally written in 2007. The book features illustrations by Sophia Janowitz.[15]
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 24, 2024
I was familiar with some of Sarah Kay’s work, thanks to many nights watching spoken poetry on YouTube.
This collection contains lovely poems about the human experience, some making you feel more deeply, others getting you to appreciate the whimsy and magic in this world we live in.
Some of the imagery or detailed anecdotes woven into the poems stick with you: I found myself thinking about bits of it throughout the days after I finished the book. I really loved how even the most personal quirks can be related to our own mundane life.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this!
This collection contains lovely poems about the human experience, some making you feel more deeply, others getting you to appreciate the whimsy and magic in this world we live in.
Some of the imagery or detailed anecdotes woven into the poems stick with you: I found myself thinking about bits of it throughout the days after I finished the book. I really loved how even the most personal quirks can be related to our own mundane life.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this!
November 7, 2024
What a beautiful collection of poetry. This is my introduction to Kay, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it! These poems are raw, emotional, and vulnerable. I had quite a few favorites, but Unreliable & The Minister of Loneliness were the top.
Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
December 27, 2024
I've been watching Sarah Kay's spoken word for years, I think there's an element of her performance that is just so excellent that you can't quite reach on the page. But, she's been a favourite poet of mine since the first time I heard her poem B.
Her new book of poetry A Little Daylight Left, feels like a slight departure for me. The poems feel longer and wordier than what I remember of her work and more observational. I really enjoyed these but did feel myself missing the way her best poems will end with such a good kicker that makes you see everything that came before in a new light. I like the way she can fold a metaphor or a line over and over, changing it every time.
There were definitely some poems in here that spoke to me, the ones about family and friends, especially. Even if this isn't my favourite of her books, I remain a huge fan!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Her new book of poetry A Little Daylight Left, feels like a slight departure for me. The poems feel longer and wordier than what I remember of her work and more observational. I really enjoyed these but did feel myself missing the way her best poems will end with such a good kicker that makes you see everything that came before in a new light. I like the way she can fold a metaphor or a line over and over, changing it every time.
There were definitely some poems in here that spoke to me, the ones about family and friends, especially. Even if this isn't my favourite of her books, I remain a huge fan!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.
November 6, 2024
What a beautiful collection of poetry from an incredibly talented poet. I’ve been a fan of Sarah Kay’s work since I first heard her in high school, and I consider myself so lucky to have been shown her work as a teen. Her writing is full of such beautiful imagery and emotion, there are many lines that stay lodged in my mind, coming to the forefront of my thinking in the moments where nothing else can really capture what I’m feeling. What a treat to exist at the same time as such a wonderful poet. What a gift to be able to receive this ARC, thank you Edelweiss and The Dial Press.
November 14, 2024
4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Dial Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review (scheduled to be published April 2025). This is a lovely collection of poems on what it means to be human - self, belonging, love, struggle, grief and heartbreak. I'm hoping there will be an audiobook or the author will tour to promote it as the text is definitely meant to be read aloud.
November 9, 2024
Sarah Kay definitely has a way with words, that’s for sure. This is an absolutely beautiful and powerful collection of free verse poetry. Sarah finds the unique and heartfelt moments in everyday life and describes them perfectly. She is raw and honest in her storytelling, sharing memories of how it feels to be female, how to it feels to be afraid or unworthy, how it feels to be heartbroken, and much more. This collection expresses the importance of finding human connection amongst the risks and dangers of living. I have never read her poetry before but will be seeking out more of it in the future. I am also inspired to look up recordings of her spoken word poetry as I would love to hear her recite it herself. Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Kay, and Random House Publishing |The Dial Press for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2025
A vulnerable poetry collection that looks at the bittersweet realities around facing ourselves when our future is here.
Sarah Kay and I are the same age, and I first found her spoken poetry when she released "If I should have a Daughter" 13 years ago. I bought and cherished her book, "No Matter the Wreckage", which was very much about self-discovery and the future. I felt so personally connected to that book and like the poems were mirroring my experiences with the world. A Little Daylight Left has me feeling the same way.
A Little Daylight feels like a life-update or a response to the call in that previous book. Like Sarah-now is speaking to Sarah-then and updating her on what has happened. Reflecting on her feelings from over a decade ago, and measuring herself against that version of herself that she had imagined.
Sarah brings the same cleverness in her writing that makes it hard to pull just one line out. Each poem is speaking to itself and building off itself. She weaves words together so tightly that you don't notice the full beauty of the poem until you get to the end and step back. I often would finish a poem, just to go back and read it again.
I highlighted so much in this book. I even just highlighted the title of the poem, "My great grandchildren finally get skeptical", because it was easier than highlighting the whole poem.
A few of my favourite quotes
- Nice poem you got there. Would be a shame if death was inevitable & you couldn't fit your arms around it.
- I am not an optimist but I play one in the group chat
- Where is my prize for most unreliable narrator? I would never lie to you, but I lie to me all the time.
- I am just three anxieties in a trench coat - always the old timey detective, never the femme fatale.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing this ARC.
This book is best read after going through your high school yearbook and trying to find where you left yourself.
Sarah Kay and I are the same age, and I first found her spoken poetry when she released "If I should have a Daughter" 13 years ago. I bought and cherished her book, "No Matter the Wreckage", which was very much about self-discovery and the future. I felt so personally connected to that book and like the poems were mirroring my experiences with the world. A Little Daylight Left has me feeling the same way.
A Little Daylight feels like a life-update or a response to the call in that previous book. Like Sarah-now is speaking to Sarah-then and updating her on what has happened. Reflecting on her feelings from over a decade ago, and measuring herself against that version of herself that she had imagined.
Sarah brings the same cleverness in her writing that makes it hard to pull just one line out. Each poem is speaking to itself and building off itself. She weaves words together so tightly that you don't notice the full beauty of the poem until you get to the end and step back. I often would finish a poem, just to go back and read it again.
I highlighted so much in this book. I even just highlighted the title of the poem, "My great grandchildren finally get skeptical", because it was easier than highlighting the whole poem.
A few of my favourite quotes
- Nice poem you got there. Would be a shame if death was inevitable & you couldn't fit your arms around it.
- I am not an optimist but I play one in the group chat
- Where is my prize for most unreliable narrator? I would never lie to you, but I lie to me all the time.
- I am just three anxieties in a trench coat - always the old timey detective, never the femme fatale.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing this ARC.
This book is best read after going through your high school yearbook and trying to find where you left yourself.
December 26, 2024
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available April 2025
When I think of Sarah Kay, I am inevitably brought back to my high school days where I sat mesmerized by her and Phil Kay's spoken word duets which started to crystallize my own love of poetry and journey deep into other artists who would make my world - Angel Nafis & Jamila Wood & Safia Ehlillo & Fatimah Ashgar & more & more. I say this to say that Kay's poetry is invitational and warm, looking tenderly to the bright side. It is highly energizing and bursting with puns, hidden alleys, and warm cozy days. This is a poetry collection to read on the days that didn't quite turn out right, when the blunt edges of life leave a blister on your thumb, when you just want a warm cup of tea & a gentle scarf. It is soothing and healing in all the measures, vulnerable with the audience yet measured and precise in its cartographies.
Available April 2025
When I think of Sarah Kay, I am inevitably brought back to my high school days where I sat mesmerized by her and Phil Kay's spoken word duets which started to crystallize my own love of poetry and journey deep into other artists who would make my world - Angel Nafis & Jamila Wood & Safia Ehlillo & Fatimah Ashgar & more & more. I say this to say that Kay's poetry is invitational and warm, looking tenderly to the bright side. It is highly energizing and bursting with puns, hidden alleys, and warm cozy days. This is a poetry collection to read on the days that didn't quite turn out right, when the blunt edges of life leave a blister on your thumb, when you just want a warm cup of tea & a gentle scarf. It is soothing and healing in all the measures, vulnerable with the audience yet measured and precise in its cartographies.
December 11, 2024
I can’t remember exactly when I first heard Sarah Kay’s poetry - I think it was a video of her TED Talk when I was in college. In any case, I fell in love with her writing immediately. She’s one of those poets who I regularly find myself thinking about and searching out my favorite of her poems to re-read. I was thrilled when I saw she had a new book coming out, and I absolutely loved it. As with all her writing, the poems in this collection start out with a small observation or moment and bloom into a gorgeous insight into humanity.
December 22, 2024
Some of my favorites from A Little Daylight Left by Sarah Kay:
• “I am seventeen and everyone”
• “Beginning is a season”
• “Dreaming boy”
• “Table games” (This one, ugh, so good!)
• “Tsubu”
And this quote hit me hard: “Wherever you’ve been, was where you needed to be, & whoever you are now, welcome back, beloved.”
Sarah Kay’s poetry is just beautiful, full of raw emotion and depth, but with a simplicity that makes you feel like you’re hearing someone speak directly to you. It’s the kind of poetry that sticks with you long after you read it.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the e-book ARC!
• “I am seventeen and everyone”
• “Beginning is a season”
• “Dreaming boy”
• “Table games” (This one, ugh, so good!)
• “Tsubu”
And this quote hit me hard: “Wherever you’ve been, was where you needed to be, & whoever you are now, welcome back, beloved.”
Sarah Kay’s poetry is just beautiful, full of raw emotion and depth, but with a simplicity that makes you feel like you’re hearing someone speak directly to you. It’s the kind of poetry that sticks with you long after you read it.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the e-book ARC!
December 4, 2024
I love Sarah Kay’s work. Her poetry is really good. This book shows so many things. A bit of joy, humor, and other things. Sarah’s poems always touched me a lot. She’s an amazing poet. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.
December 31, 2024
The literal first page made me cry so I knew I was in for it
Live
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Sarah Kay
Live
Laugh
Love
Sarah Kay
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews