From being a public figure to poetry in the age of Trump, from old prejudice to new audiences: when US poet laureate Tracy K Smith met Jackie Kay, Scotland’s makar, they had a lot to talk about…
“There are so many things that you get asked to do,” says Jackie Kay of her role as makar, or poet laureate of Scotland, “that you think, God, wouldn’t it be great to be one of those artists who have 10 or 15 people working for them and they all make this huge big painting? I’d love to have mini-makars. I’d give them this line to do and that commission, because there isn’t really enough of you to do everything you’re asked. It’s just not possible. I’m only the one makar.”
Luckily this makar, the third since the position was established by the Scottish parliament in 2004, has found time to meet up in the lobby of a Manchester hotel, prior to an appearance at the city’s literary festival, and compare notes with another eminent national bard. Tracy K Smith is the 22nd poet laureate of the United States and the fourth woman of colour to occupy the role. Her second and final term has just ended – she will be succeeded by the Native American poet Joy Harjo – but she has plenty to discuss with Kay about the satisfactions and scarier aspects of the job.
Poetry takes us to the language of the deep self, and it also reminds us that other people matter
Poetry doesn’t belong to some wee white man – it’s bigger than that. It belongs to all time
Related: Bantam by Jackie Kay review – home truths from a goddess of small things
Related: Poem of the month: Something Like Dying, Maybe
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