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The Type
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Poetry (2016)Sarah Kay's powerful spoken word poetry performances have gone viral, with more than 10 million online views and thousands more in global live audiences. In her second single-poem volume, Kay takes readers along a lyrical road toward empowerment, exploring the promise and complicated reality of being a woman.
During her spoken word poetry performances, audiences around the world have responded strongly to Sarah Kay's poem The Type. As Kay wrote in The Huffington Post: "Much media attention has been paid to what it means to 'be a woman,' but often the conversation focuses on what it means to be a woman in relation to others. I believe these relationships are important. I also think it is possible to define ourselves solely as individuals... We have the power to define ourselves: by telling our own stories, in our own words, with our own voices."
Never-before-published in book form, The Type is illustrated throughout and perfect for gift-giving.
During her spoken word poetry performances, audiences around the world have responded strongly to Sarah Kay's poem The Type. As Kay wrote in The Huffington Post: "Much media attention has been paid to what it means to 'be a woman,' but often the conversation focuses on what it means to be a woman in relation to others. I believe these relationships are important. I also think it is possible to define ourselves solely as individuals... We have the power to define ourselves: by telling our own stories, in our own words, with our own voices."
Never-before-published in book form, The Type is illustrated throughout and perfect for gift-giving.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9, 2016
10 people are currently reading
2948 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Kay
84 books2,553 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 - 30 of 115 reviews
July 10, 2021
My favourite poem of all time :) <3 always find myself returning to it again and again
———
The Type
Sarah Kay
If you grow up the type of woman men want to look at, You can let them look at you. But do not mistake eyes for hands or windows or mirrors.
Let them see what a woman looks like. They may have not ever seen one before.
If you grow up the type of woman men want to touch,
You can let them touch you.
Sometimes, it is not you they are reaching for. Sometimes it is a bottle, a door, a sandwich, a Pulitzer — another woman. But their hands found you first.
Do not mistake yourself for a guardian or a muse or a promise or a victim or a snack.
You are a woman — skin and bones, veins and nerves, hair and sweat.
You are not made out of metaphors, not apologies, not excuses.
If you grow up the type of woman men want to hold,
You can let them hold you.
All day they practice keeping their bodies upright. Even after all this evolving it still feels unnatural. Still strains the muscles, hold firms the arms and spine.
Only some men will want to learn what it feels like to curl themselves into a question mark around you,
Admit they do not have the answers they thought they would by now.
Some men will want to hold you like the answer. You are not the answer. You are not the problem. You are not the poem or the punch-line or the riddle or the joke.
Woman, if you grow up the type men want to love,
You can let them love you.
Being loved is not the same thing as loving.
When you fall in love, it is discovering the ocean after years of puddle jumping.
It is realizing you have hands.
It is reaching for the tightrope when the crowds have all gone home.
Do not spend time wondering if you are the type of women men will hurt.
If he leaves you with a car alarm heart, you learn to sing along.
It is hard to stop loving the ocean even after it has left you gasping — "salty."
So forgive yourself for the decisions you've made.
The ones you still call mistakes when you tuck them in at night and know this:
Know you are the type of woman who is searching 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 are born to build.
———
The Type
Sarah Kay
If you grow up the type of woman men want to look at, You can let them look at you. But do not mistake eyes for hands or windows or mirrors.
Let them see what a woman looks like. They may have not ever seen one before.
If you grow up the type of woman men want to touch,
You can let them touch you.
Sometimes, it is not you they are reaching for. Sometimes it is a bottle, a door, a sandwich, a Pulitzer — another woman. But their hands found you first.
Do not mistake yourself for a guardian or a muse or a promise or a victim or a snack.
You are a woman — skin and bones, veins and nerves, hair and sweat.
You are not made out of metaphors, not apologies, not excuses.
If you grow up the type of woman men want to hold,
You can let them hold you.
All day they practice keeping their bodies upright. Even after all this evolving it still feels unnatural. Still strains the muscles, hold firms the arms and spine.
Only some men will want to learn what it feels like to curl themselves into a question mark around you,
Admit they do not have the answers they thought they would by now.
Some men will want to hold you like the answer. You are not the answer. You are not the problem. You are not the poem or the punch-line or the riddle or the joke.
Woman, if you grow up the type men want to love,
You can let them love you.
Being loved is not the same thing as loving.
When you fall in love, it is discovering the ocean after years of puddle jumping.
It is realizing you have hands.
It is reaching for the tightrope when the crowds have all gone home.
Do not spend time wondering if you are the type of women men will hurt.
If he leaves you with a car alarm heart, you learn to sing along.
It is hard to stop loving the ocean even after it has left you gasping — "salty."
So forgive yourself for the decisions you've made.
The ones you still call mistakes when you tuck them in at night and know this:
Know you are the type of woman who is searching 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 are born to build.
January 18, 2022
It is hard to stop loving the ocean. Even after it has left you gasping, salty.
ouch
June 12, 2016
Sarah Kay, I really do love you. This is a poem I've read before, but the illustrations and the sparseness of lines per page made me savor it in a new way. Such a beautiful poem, and one I wish I could press into the hands of every woman I know. Vital words of wisdom on what it means (and doesn't mean) to be a woman both in a relationship and on one's own. I wish I had read it when I was younger - I might have arrived where I am sooner and with fewer mistakes. Thank you to Hachette for the review copy.
If you'd like to hear Sarah Kay perform this poem you can see her here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-8jt...
If you'd like to hear Sarah Kay perform this poem you can see her here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-8jt...
April 3, 2016
My favorite poet right now. I have watched and watched again every spoken word she has online. I have been looking and looking for her books at every book store I see. I haven't wanted to buy them on my kindle, because there is something special of holding something so amazing in your hands. I FINALLY found this one and its beautiful and amazing and perfect. I love it. Her words give me goosebumps!!! Everyone needs this! They need her poetry to sink into there bones! I promise you will love it! Buy it for your daughters sisters best friends!
January 15, 2020
But do not mistake eyes for hands or windows or mirrors.
In the empowering poem The Type, women are encouraged to define themselves, find their place inside themselves, and not in relation to others, or through others' eyes.
Women are more than appendages, only to be classified by their attachments, the labels set by others, the men that stare, the lovers that walk in and out of their lives.
In the empowering poem The Type, women are encouraged to define themselves, find their place inside themselves, and not in relation to others, or through others' eyes.
Women are more than appendages, only to be classified by their attachments, the labels set by others, the men that stare, the lovers that walk in and out of their lives.
March 4, 2016
So short. So sweet. A little book/poem that a few young, and up-and-coming, women I know should read. I love Sarah Kay. Her collection "No Matter the Wreckage" will stay with me for life. Now I need to go out and buy some copies for those women I mentioned above. Thank you, Sarah.
March 29, 2020
I have read Almutanabi, Darwish and Shakespeare, but none of their work managed to affect me as this one poem did!
(Shrinking Women) by another spoken word poet is amazing too. The two poems remind me of each other.
(Shrinking Women) by another spoken word poet is amazing too. The two poems remind me of each other.
August 15, 2024
“It is hard to stop loving the ocean.
Even after it has left you gasping, salty.”
This poem is such a gem. Bought a secondhand copy of it from my local bookstore earlier today. I love it. A new favourite.
Even after it has left you gasping, salty.”
This poem is such a gem. Bought a secondhand copy of it from my local bookstore earlier today. I love it. A new favourite.
September 19, 2020
This poem about female empowerment is an utter failure. Its contradictions are legion. Its failure to say that no one needs to accept bad behavior is unfathomable.
March 28, 2018
"Do not mistake yourself for a guardian.
Or a muse. Or a promise. Or a victim. Or a snack.
You are a woman. Skin and bones. Veins and nerves. Hair and sweat.
You are not made of metaphors. Not apologies. Not excuses."
Short and powerful. I will definitely be checking out more of her poetry.
Or a muse. Or a promise. Or a victim. Or a snack.
You are a woman. Skin and bones. Veins and nerves. Hair and sweat.
You are not made of metaphors. Not apologies. Not excuses."
Short and powerful. I will definitely be checking out more of her poetry.
March 30, 2018
Inspiring. <3
January 15, 2024
When you fall in love, it is discovering the ocean
after years of puddle jumping.
after years of puddle jumping.
May 22, 2025
a lovely gift from a friend
May 16, 2016
I've seen the spoken word performance of this poem before, but this book, with its elegantly simple illustrations and words on each page, allows me to visually engage with this piece. A poem that reminds a woman of her worth, this could be appreciated by budding, young women to full-grown adults.
Sarah Kay does not disappoint, and while I liked the performance version, this book itself seemed more meaningful, as the words and images are a gift that could be passed on— literally and figuratively. As I have described about this book before: "A poem all women should read. Gloriously empowering message and imagery."
Sarah Kay does not disappoint, and while I liked the performance version, this book itself seemed more meaningful, as the words and images are a gift that could be passed on— literally and figuratively. As I have described about this book before: "A poem all women should read. Gloriously empowering message and imagery."
November 14, 2016
"Do not mistake yourself for a guardian.
Or a muse. Or a promise. Or a victim. Or a snack.
You are a woman. Skin and bones. Veins and nerves. Hair and sweat.
You are not made of metaphors. Not apologies. Not excuses."
Sarah Kay really is one of my favorite poets. She's the founder and co-director of Project Voice, where other poets and aspiring poets alike use their words and voice to spread inspiration in the world. Not only is Sarah good in writing but she's an amazing spoken word performer as well.
Or a muse. Or a promise. Or a victim. Or a snack.
You are a woman. Skin and bones. Veins and nerves. Hair and sweat.
You are not made of metaphors. Not apologies. Not excuses."
Sarah Kay really is one of my favorite poets. She's the founder and co-director of Project Voice, where other poets and aspiring poets alike use their words and voice to spread inspiration in the world. Not only is Sarah good in writing but she's an amazing spoken word performer as well.
April 20, 2016
This is amazing. I can admit that I am not that into poetry mainly because, I find them too flowery and metaphoric but this...this is short, sweet, uplifting and empowering. Reading this has reawakened a need to accept myself fully and to not let men see me as an answer to their problems.
"You are a woman. Skin and bones. Veins and nerves. Hair and sweat. You are not made of metaphors."
"You are a woman. Skin and bones. Veins and nerves. Hair and sweat. You are not made of metaphors."
May 17, 2016
It's funny how I don't remember wanting to read this book.. I actually won it from goodreads. Well I decided to read it now and I loved it. I get into poems anyway so when I saw I won it I was pleased... I just wished I didn't wait so long to read it. Well thank you Sarah Kay for the great book and thanks to Sophia Janowitz for such beautiful illustration....
November 5, 2016
I love this poem and this was such a beautiful book. Loved how it was the same style as 'B'. I relate so well with this poem and I love how empowering it is. Whenever I need reminding of how strong I am I read this poem. Sarah Kay will always be a big influence for me especially in terms of her beautiful honesty and metaphors.
March 17, 2016
Hachette sent me this book in the mail because....well I have no idea why.
The Type is a very short inspiring poem for women. I think.
I love reading poetry but that doesn't mean I'm very smart at it.
"You are not the poem
or the punchline
or the riddle
or the joke."
The Type is a very short inspiring poem for women. I think.
I love reading poetry but that doesn't mean I'm very smart at it.
"You are not the poem
or the punchline
or the riddle
or the joke."
August 3, 2016
So this is the shortest book ever! But it's like a bone marrow stock, rich and full of new thoughts and ideas that should be shared. It may have taken me literally less than 5 minutes to read, but it'll stick with me for months.
December 24, 2017
Empowering and encouraging little nuggets of prose and pictures for women.
Read
June 1, 2016Sarah Kay never disappoints.
July 4, 2016
Got this book after watching Phil Kay and Sarah Kaye perform spoke poetry. This poem just spoke to me then, like she wrote it about me. I felt welling up.
October 26, 2016
what a beautiful experience it was to read this poem
April 13, 2019
Beautiful, as always. Sarah Kay does it again. :)
August 1, 2016
Numpang baca di Post Santa. Buku yang agak eeaaa
January 6, 2017
I don’t know about you but I always have such a hard time getting back into the swing of things after the holidays. It’s partly because I need a little while to recover from the craziness of the last few weeks of the year but it’s also because I always get a pile of new books for Christmas and I can’t resist the temptation to spend more time than I should reading them once the holidays are over.
This year Santa was kind enough to bring me two new poetry books by the spoken word poet, Sarah Kay. Each book is a standalone volume containing a single poem, B and The Type. Neither poem is particularly new. B, sometimes called “If I Should Have a Daughter” is one of Kay’s best-known poems and was performed at the Ted Talks Conference in 2011. (You can see the video of that performance here.) And both B and The Type were included in Kay’s beautiful anthology of poems, No Matter the Wreckage, which I own and highly recommend!! But when I discovered that these poems came in their own books, beautifully illustrated by artist Sophia Janowitz, I knew I wanted to add them to my poetry collection anyway.
The thing I love about both these poems – and one of the reasons I am so glad they exist as their own books instead of nestled in among other poems – is that they are so very warm, empowering, and totally accessible even for folks who don’t read a lot of poetry. B, a collection of wisdom and life lessons that Kay would like to pass down to her daughter, if she should ever one, would make a beautiful gift for mothers and daughters alike. Full of encouragement for times of disappointment and struggle, this wonderful poem is a love-song to the power of optimism and a tribute to the mothers (and mother figures) who will always have our back. Meanwhile, The Type is a poem about womanhood and how we define ourselves and build ourselves up. A perfect gift for a girlfriend going through a break-up or struggling with relationship issues, The Type is also a beautiful way to recenter and refocus yourself when your self-esteem starts to drift.
All in all, I am so happy to add The Type and B to my library and would love to give a copy of each (along with Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman) to every woman I know.
This year Santa was kind enough to bring me two new poetry books by the spoken word poet, Sarah Kay. Each book is a standalone volume containing a single poem, B and The Type. Neither poem is particularly new. B, sometimes called “If I Should Have a Daughter” is one of Kay’s best-known poems and was performed at the Ted Talks Conference in 2011. (You can see the video of that performance here.) And both B and The Type were included in Kay’s beautiful anthology of poems, No Matter the Wreckage, which I own and highly recommend!! But when I discovered that these poems came in their own books, beautifully illustrated by artist Sophia Janowitz, I knew I wanted to add them to my poetry collection anyway.
The thing I love about both these poems – and one of the reasons I am so glad they exist as their own books instead of nestled in among other poems – is that they are so very warm, empowering, and totally accessible even for folks who don’t read a lot of poetry. B, a collection of wisdom and life lessons that Kay would like to pass down to her daughter, if she should ever one, would make a beautiful gift for mothers and daughters alike. Full of encouragement for times of disappointment and struggle, this wonderful poem is a love-song to the power of optimism and a tribute to the mothers (and mother figures) who will always have our back. Meanwhile, The Type is a poem about womanhood and how we define ourselves and build ourselves up. A perfect gift for a girlfriend going through a break-up or struggling with relationship issues, The Type is also a beautiful way to recenter and refocus yourself when your self-esteem starts to drift.
All in all, I am so happy to add The Type and B to my library and would love to give a copy of each (along with Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman) to every woman I know.
November 20, 2019
Originally attracted to The Type book because of the exquisite illustration. Open the book, the format of only one line of text on each page is very new and unique. The expression of poetry makes the text full of rhythm, making readers catch up. The poem revolves around women's definition of their own type, understanding themselves and respecting the theme of self-esteem, which triggers modern women's examination of self and self-esteem. I really like this book from the perspective of women, in the words of the verses, encourage women to dominate their character, feelings, image and so on. Although the content of the whole book is short, it is profound. The implicit expression of words causes women to think about themselves.
January 14, 2019
I first read this poem when I was sixteen years old, at a time in my life where I had just started to understand my worth as an individual, rather than in relation to the men around me. This poem brought me to tears and really opened me up to the strength in being myself as a women. It's an amazing piece if you're looking for something short, sweet, and to the point. I've kept it on my shelf ever since. I don't usually gravitate towards it, but on the occasion when I'm feeling a little less than powerful, reading this always brings back a sense of strength. I would absolutely recommend all young women read and own a copy of this poem.
March 28, 2019
Small book, longer poem. Definitely feminist, which is fantastic, but it's an empowering type of feminism. Not combative or reactive. Though, the women that Sarah Kay writes about in this poem are not the type of woman I am. This is not me judging those women. It is the realization of a fact - I am not that & they are not me. If we are honest, there are different kinds of women & we can all be empowered by, supportive of, happy for each other. And this poem is doing that, in a sense. While Sarah Kay was not writing about me, there were lines that struck me. I felt good at the end of this poem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews