‘Late Love’ explores the transformative power of love, contrasting its passionate heights with the fading memories and passage of time.
This poem is a good representation of Jackie Kay's poetry. It showcases her signature style of introspective and emotionally resonant writing, exploring themes of love, longing, and human connections. The poem demonstrates Kay's ability to capture nuanced emotions, employ vivid imagery, and evoke a sense of nostalgia. While it is just one example of her work, 'Late Love' reflects the depth and artistry found in many of Kay's poems, making it a representative piece of her poetic repertoire.
How they strut about, people in love,
how tall they grow, pleased with themselves,
their hair, glossy, their skin shining.
They don’t remember who they have been.