Selected Poems captures the extraordinary trajectory of Jackie Kay's three decades in poetry.

From The Adoption Papers, winner of the very first Forward Prize thirty-five years ago, to May Day, published in 2024 to widespread acclaim, Kay has for decades written eloquently about love and the grief which is its obverse. The poems collated here range widely through time and space, from the Glasgow of the poet's childhood around the world and through history, but all with the distinct devotional aspect which has always characterized Jackie Kay's work. This is the definitive volume of a trailblazing career.


Praise for Jackie Kay:

'An utterly unique poet who distils the most complex and difficult themes into clear-eyed, elegant, moving, humorous and simply exquisite poetry' - Bernardine Evaristo

'Jackie Kay is the people's poet because she puts language where it starts - in our mouths, and holds it where it belongs - in our hearts' - Jeanette Winterson

'A beautiful writer at the top of her game' - Andrew O'Hagan

Jackie Kay was born in Edinburgh. A poet, novelist and writer of short stories, she has enjoyed great acclaim for her work for both adults and children. Her novel, Trumpet, won the Guardian Fiction Prize. She has published three collections of stories with Picador, Why Don't You Stop Talking, Wish I Was Here, and Reality, Reality; three poetry collections, Fiere, Bantam, and May Day; and her memoir, Red Dust Road. From 2016 to 2021 she was the third modern Makar, National Poet for Scotland. She lives in Manchester and is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Salford.