She’s a poet with a playlist for everything. She finds messages of wisdom in her hate mail replies and turns it into found poetry. She’s a mother, a wife, and a writer, and she’ll make you stop and think. The living poet I’m celebrating today is Kate Baer, who was first recommended to me by my friend and small group writing buddy Glenda Funk. I started with her collection I Hope This Finds You Well and then read all the others, and I’m anxiously awaiting whatever comes next. Hers are dessert poems with a bit of a sharp kick, like a tangy lemon tart or a bowl of the sweetest watermelon sprinkled with Tajin. It hits you square in the womanhood solidarity in its delicious aftertaste.
You can read more about Kate Baer here. Be sure to scroll down deep enough in the article to listen to her playlists – they’re all linked, and I leave her writing playlist on repeat whether I’m writing or working in my cubicle with my noise-cancelling headphones (perfect for when a colleague is making a phone call or having a conversation).
Advice on writing from Kate can be found here. Another interview here.
Snapshot
The moment before the photograph
you turn and lift your face
in the blue eye of winter
fat with love, drunk with adoration
eyes up, arms out
walk out into the evening and sing
no music. Just the world and all its noise. You.
I never wanted anything more than you.
Taken from: The Bridesmaid’s Song; After; Today; Grown Alice; Undivided Attention; The Protagonist Remembers; How it Will Happen; For My Son on His 13th Birthday.
Common Threads 
Lim,
If I were going to recommend one poet and only one for women to read and grow with, it would be Kate Baer. I love the way the ordinary becomes extraordinary in her poems and how the most recent collection approaches aging so honestly. Love, love, love the line “fat with love, drunk with adoration.” Brilliant. How did you ever barrow down the lines you’d use? That’s a monumental task. BTW, I don’t see Billy Collins’s new dog collection in your stack. It has pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Glenda! I will see if I have that one. I do love Billy and fully agree about Kate being the top recommendation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This poet sounds intriguing to me. I have found my mind wandering recently listening to audiobooks, so I have been contemplating listening to some poetry books- I am going to try to find one from Baer. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s amazing. Try I Hope This Finds You Well!!
LikeLike
I always appreciate a good book/author recommendation. You have made this one irresistable. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I hope you enjoy her work!
LikeLiked by 1 person