"A Bird Made of Birds" | Sarah Kay

"The universe has already written the poem you were planning on writing," says Sarah Kay, quoting her friend, poet Kaveh Akbar. Performing "A Bird Made of Birds," she shares how and where she finds poetry. (Kay is also the host of TED's podcast "Sincerely, X." Listen on the Luminary podcast app at luminary.link/ted)
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[@nprpodcasts]

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[@_lucy_goosey]

Is anyone going to talk about how smoothly she transitioned into spoken word from just regular speech/a simple story?? The talent she has is absolutely amazing

[@safiyarani4448]

no

[@MrAbeydube]

Sarah is amazing and i’ve been following her work for years. I was so lucky to get to meet her once

[@keenb641]

I thought it was quite clear. Her cadence slowed down, her tone slightly deepened.

[@kyleemeg2171]

@@safiyarani4448 then maybe you should listen again

[@veggiet2009]

Honestly so many of her poems do this, it's basically her style to bridge the beautiful gap between speech and poem

[@epicjpanda]

okay was anybody going to tell me that figs are pollinated by wasps laying their eggs and dying inside or was i just supposed to learn that from a soft & inspiring poem by sarah kay

[@monagomaa2374]

I guess it's the latter

[@fairlyadorablepancreas3746]

We read it in highschool bio!

[@TheFreshkidd1234]

Found out about that watching the PBS channel 😂

[@oooo4412]

@@fairlyadorablepancreas3746 Pffft weird flex about going to a decent highschool...

[@encoresurfacing84]

The turkey fig never flowers. It's a fascinating botany story.

[@sproutmackao4353]

Whoever put the video together and was in charge of changing angles, cutting to Sarah tiny in the corner of the dark room with an enormous audience on "On days when the world feels especially big" was beautiful and wonderful and I appreciate this decision deeply

[@earllh]

This is why I love Sarah...the way she speaks is so enchanting that makes you wanna listen to it the words she speaks is full of metaphors that holds many meanings.

[@quickdeuce]

Yes, she does speak in metaphors and some may see this talk as merely that, however, she speaks of the one, the ONLY TRUTH. And THAT ~ is not a metaphor.

[@ebonyl9312]

@@alexx6527 you will find the thing that brings you joy. It won't be the same thing that brings other joy, but it exists and it is out there. Good luck. 🙂

[@user-ns8qs1ky5w]

So glad to see Sarah back! She's a true artist with a gift for sharing genuine emotion.

[@yuliaainur5070]

"It may not be first, or ever best" "But this is the only way to be sure that i lived it off." I found it very beautiful, about acceptance

[@zaira6312]

Sarah needs to do more spoken word, Ive missed her so much

[@tabithamunyaka5287]

I met sarah kay over 5 years ago and "if I should have daughter " was the poem that made everything in my life fall in place. My love for poetry was unveiled and no one will ever understand how significant it was to me.

[@daniandceli]

Transcription "The universe has already written the poem you were planning on writing!" Except, for the first time, it didn't fill me with despair. Instead, I thought, "OK. Maybe it's not my job to invent something new. Maybe instead it's my job to listen to what the universe is showing me and to keep myself open to what the universe offers, so that when it's my turn, I can hold something to the light, just for a moment, just for as long as I have. The universe has already written the poem that you were planning on writing. And this is why you can do nothing but point at the flock of starlings whose bodies rise and fall in inherited choreography, swarming the sky in a sweeping curtain that, for one blistering moment, forms the unmistakeable shape of a giant bird flapping against the sky. It is why your mouth forms an "o" that is not a gasp, but rather, the beginning of, "Oh. Of course." As in, of course the heart of a blue whale is as large as a house with chambers tall enough to fit a person standing. Of course a fig becomes possible when a lady wasp lays her eggs inside a flower, dies and decomposes, the fruit, evidence of her transformation. Sometimes, the poem is so bright, your silly language will not stick to it. Sometimes, the poem is so true, nobody will believe you. I am a bird made of birds. This blue heart a house you can stand up inside of. I am dying here inside this flower. It is OK. It is what I was put here to do. Take this fruit. It is what I have to offer. It may not be first, or ever best, but it is the only way to be sure that I lived at all.

[@sundayschoolteacheraprilar7839]

i'm here because Nightbirde quoted Sarah Kaye's poem... and the words were so beautiful... "I am dying here...It is ok. It is what I was put here to do. Take this fruit, it is what I have to offer. It may not be first, or ever best. But it is the only way to be sure that I lived at all." Thank you Sarah Kaye - your piece is so beautiful. Rest in peace Nightbirde. You have touched me with your life, with your wisdom, so deeply.

[@892breezy]

I just saw her last night for the 1st time live. After years of following her work. She performed this piece. It was so beautiful. And she's such a sweet person! And I got a signed book!

[@poetrynerd1109]

Yes Sarah Kay is back. I love her and Phil

[@zohashaikh3730]

OMG! I love both of them so much. They are the only ones who don't seem to need loud voice and fast pacing to make us feel what they want us to feel.

[@rinalatash3614]

This blessed young lady is our blessing. The words that shape her energy or the energy that shapes her words are just brilliant. She brings so much lights into the world, and takes her mission so seriously. Can hardly describe how I feel every time I listen to her poems. I know almost all of them by heart. And wow, I’ve just realized she was my New Year’s 2018 present - discovered her right in New Year’s Eve. Thank you, Sarah, thank you, girl!

[@janelennon3598]

this poem is so imbued with wonder and light and possibility

[@aura7573]

Sarah Kay ❤ Your performance is the essence of your poetry! And yes, you have already written the poems I plan to write, you're my Universe. My thought keeper. Thank you for sharing yourself to the world. You're very Precious cuz you make us feel so 😌

[@wanderer9557]

This video is so deep. Everytime I watch, I cry pondering how tiny we are in this incomprehensible grandeur of our Universe.

[@popcornbag7897]

@@alexx6527 judging from a few of your other comments and this one, it seems like you dont care for sarah, spoken word poetry, or her fans so maybe just? dont comment? no need to disrespect people just because they resonate with this video

[@youraveragefan45]

* pauses video to research figs *

[@ghulammustafa1884]

I just did the same thing :)

[@veronianneruiz3889]

Sarah, you never fail to make me cry each time you open your mouth.

[@judeoverholtzer1807]

this poem has been stuck in my mind ever since i first heard it. i am absolutely in love with it. if the universe has written the poem i was planning on writing, i will say that i am the wasp, and this poem is the sweet fig that has grown around me; this poem is my shelter. thank you, sarah. "i am a bird made of birds - this blue heart a house you can stand up inside of. i am dying, here, inside this flower. it is okay."

[@lunafromkc]

I’ve been waiting for Sarah’s comeback 💖 truly beautiful and inspiring!

[@ladmyn2726]

Her voice and the way she speaks especially when she speaks poetry is just so magical

[@happy1831]

I had that experience but the starlings turned themselves into a massive heart in front of a church in MA, Berkshire County, where my great great grandparents built a massive church that has been since closed. However, I understand this moment in the universe, and it was love. This woman is a gift of love. 💙💚💛🧡❤️💜

[@nayjashah7368]

The way that she translated each part of the natural things she described was amazing💜

[@danieltakawi9919]

Just watched her original TED video "If I should have a daughter..." and seeing how 8 years later her passion for poetry has not diminished one bit, is honestly one of the most beautiful things ever.

[@ShoshanaBrand]

I can listen to Sarah Kay and never get tired. She lifts me up.

[@osse1n]

*BIRDCEPTION*

[@natalialesiak3759]

I was deeply impressed by Sarah"s words. Her speech is like a melody of something completely new. Thank you for your mood and thoughts. You has already told what I was planning on saying.

[@akiiesugereadt]

Thank you Sarah for sharing as us writers do, and as us vessels do.

[@blueparrish]

immediately after she said the last line i started BAWLING.... oh man...... sarah kay has such a way with words

[@jennyfelicitasbarz9934]

She is a genius! seriously! Some people TELL metaphors - She LIVES the metaphor. I would give so much to the world through her eyes one day but I guess that's what her poems are here for

[@offtosl33p]

i once heard this from podcast on spotify, and i was moved of how beautiful this is. it is truly well written and spoke. this made my heart so warm while the day is cold. thank you Sarah Kay and Kaveh Akbar

[@lilyl.6715]

She spoke at my high school once. I asked her what pokemon game her brother had (it was something she mentioned in one of her poems). I miss her. It’s been at least 5 years, maybe I’d have something more substantial to say to her.

[@upintheclouds8036]

I am in love with her essence and her brilliant mind.

[@raisedfrequency]

I was so Inspired by this ...I let go of Fear and started uploading Poetry and Music I created to my KZbin Page Yesterday..Thanks for the Inspiration Sarah!

[@wilbabilba]

This is still my favorite poem. 4 years of listening to this and it still makes me sob like a fool.

[@TubularOfficial]

Every now and then an artist arises that is such a master of their craft it transcends skill and work and just becomes soul and existence. Sarah Kay is the soul and existence of poetry. She to me will always be a great in her craft.

[@lavanyasunthara]

I will forever come back to this, to let my heart be touched

[@asif_mojtoba]

*Yes; that's why I don't write anything new for my assignments; I just copy-pasta the old notes from the other students. Yes, the universe has already written the poem I was planning on writing.*

[@lilmama8718]

Best comment

[@cadence3141]

Always wanting for more of Sarah Kay. Hope to see you soon one day 💙

[@kristeemarie2229]

Sarah's speaking voice is poetry itself 🥰

[@slaynuhssofa7693]

Not to be a slight downer, but I want the last three sentences of this piece to be in my obituary (whenever that day comes) 🙌🏾

[@elcheapo9444]

It was so beautiful. Moved me to tears.

[@aditiagrawal7504]

I love poems and add that to how she expresses her words 💜💜 Its truly amazing...😃

[@Diana-gt1rv]

This is so absolutely true and I am just now making a similar experience in my life. I strongly believe that the universe has made a plan for each one of us, we just have to listen to the universe and fulfil the role which has been written for us, like on stage. It’s so beautiful and amazing.

[@christbearer511]

Oh my God. This was So beautiful. Immediate tears.

[@lupevinado3087]

Sarah’s words always brings me so much comfort 🥰

[@promiseigere5882]

I’m so glad I get to listen to her again

[@royal3880]

She is everything.

[@karthikms]

Is it a coincidence that her dress is full of spots (birds) and when she lifts her arms it looks like one big bird? hmm.

[@ultramarinewaters9325]

Welcome back Sarah Kay! I love your work!

[@basmattiebasheer6409]

Sarah Kay is such a breath of fresh air! 😭❤

[@HidekazuOki]

You know, this is so insightful...because this applies to vastly different fields too. In the world of mathematics, it's the same. The Universe contains the mathematical truths, but we need mathematicians to excavate those truths.

[@KhushbooSinghQueenOfHearts]

"The eyes, Chico. The eyes never lie." Her eyes speak more than words!

[@divyamurugesan5557]

WoW!! She is a poem writing poems. :)

[@happy1831]

Divya Murugesan Beautiful words spoken from your heart. You understand ❤️

[@prosthoinsights]

The Queen is back!!!! on TED Stage!

[@AshLuzadio]

Damn! The transition from speech to spoken poetry is so seamless I couldnt identify where it started! 😍 And I really also like that dress.

[@AntoniAmericaLatina]

I'm always impressed by your poems! Always listen to them a couple of times to make sure I won't miss any of the amazing details you put inside!

[@user-nq9pg6xe1k]

Her language is so beautiful!! I love it

[@yourweirdbanana]

The Queen of Spoken Word Poetry.

[@dissonanceofcircles5451]

I cry, every time, it's so true, and so rare, I'm lucky to be here.

[@tryceratops7746]

I’ve so missed you & your magic, Sarah

[@henrileveque928]

Not sure if that would have been my approach of the thing but remarkable and magnificent subject to think and speak of

[@briannalocke4376]

this is so sad that theres so many people not getting this...

[@tsubakiblossom]

I miss listening to her. She has the voice I can listen to all day.

[@aminakaja6465]

I love this gorgeous human being!

[@willapotter5455]

No, you already wrote that poem. But that’s why all I have to do is listen and be better for it. Thanks for everything, Sarah

[@lisa3965]

ohh, i'm always excited to see sarah kay on here, she's a true artist and always manages to make you think and re-think with her poems

[@MsGalium]

Thank you for this! It really touched my heart.

[@kinsmed]

Much better; a Talk that is part wonder, part humor... all fascination.

[@lebaronde3204]

sarah is back!

[@phanorR]

Beautiful.. thank you for creating... Sarah Kay

[@angelvimanong3314]

thank you for this!!❤

[@agnetegrenild1588]

Starling-mumurations is a big ting in Southern Jutland, Denmark. In danish it's Called "sort sol" wich means "black sun" (Sorry for poor english)

[@paulsmith9341]

She made me tear up.

[@kathrynviolago237]

"This fruit... it is what I have to offer. It might not be first or ever best, but it is the only way to be sure that I lived it all." Reason to still create, imagine, and inspire! To live fully, even when you feel so small in a world so big.

[@shalini3336]

I must have listened to all your poems.

[@LadyB_miniatures]

Ive seen a murmuration of starlings in real life as i live in the uk 🇬🇧 its an amazing and beautiful thing to see

[@theflowergodleanne]

uGH RMB HER LAST TED TALK ABOUT SLAM POETRY GOSHH WHAT A LONG TIME AGOOOO

[@equalityarise2672]

the poem is so bright

[@IsaqueGaldino]

Just beautiful! Thanks.

[@kiritadhikari5160]

This is beautiful! ♥️

[@cynthiamorris2308]

Beautifully spoken and contrived piece of art

[@radhikaagarwal1058]

This is so wonderful...her voice and the way she speaks can literally give a person goose bumps

[@lellowlife6853]

She’s incredible

[@keithhopkins9225]

What amazing thoughts this young has! I am inspired and uplifted by her!

[@Erica.N24]

Amazinghhh insights!!!❤

[@maungagussutikno5379]

watching listening with tears

[@adekunbiogunsuyi6330]

Oh my! I love Kaveh Akbar. Awesome

[@cob571]

Your dress is the universe!

[@justinmcneight6899]

I will move on I still love you guys. Only want happiness, he's a great dude who has many things to pass along.

[@alone_mask]

I can see many galaxies and black holes on her dress

[@laural765]

Can someone please explain this?

[@TastewithTasha]

Powerful. Ty

[@laurabratisax596]

she's ahead of our time

[@margot7048]

Anyone have the link to the video she was talking about

[@SweetSpringFarmer1222]

Ms. Kay reminds me/us that Hope and Beauty still exist - if we look...

[@SkylarNallick]

Where is the video she is referring to?

[@dissonanceofcircles5451]

This, this is my morning sun, she gets me every time, lol of course. 🙂

[@jonathantrauner3742]

Sarah is legendary

[@hamstirsuperiority]

this speech made me cry :c

[@xandertabuzo7173]

so brilliant. always a fan!