Read: I Hope This Finds You Well

Back in March 2021, I shared my thoughts with you about Kate Baer's poetry collection, What Kind of Woman. Though I don't consider myself a "poetry person," I was struck by Baer's incredible ability to describe the uniqueness of being a woman. Her poems about her body and self-esteem as it relates to accepting one's physical appearance resonated deeply. 

I started following Baer on Instagram, @katejbaer, which is how I discovered a new endeavor of hers, erasure poems. Baer was taking the hateful messages she was receiving as comments or direct messages and erasing some of the words to create poems. 

This idea completely exploded my brain. Not only is it creative, but it takes true imagination to release the initial meaning and tone of the words and reassign them new life as they form a fresh configuration. 

When it was announced that Baer would release a collection made up entirely of these erasure poems, I knew I would buy it. The book is called I Hope This Finds You Well, which is a nod to how many of these messages begin when they hit Baer's inbox. 

Kate Baer Book Cover

Here is one of my favorites. The original note is from a father saying he hopes his daughter grows up to be nothing like Baer, and on the right side you can see the poem she birthed from his original text. 

Kate Baer Erasure Poem

I would have been perfectly content to purchase the new collection and devour it at home, but when Porter Square Books announced they would be hosting Baer in their new space in the Seaport, I leapt at the chance to attend. 

Kate Baer Reading

As if I couldn't love her more, Baer wore a hot pink suit jacket on stage, the exact same hue as her book cover. 

Kate Baer Reading Close Up

She read a few of the erasure poems (and the initial messages that inspired them), as well as took questions from the audience.

A few hours later when I was back home and catching up on Instagram, I saw Baer posted a photo from her hotel room. After the book event, she ordered Shake Shack and was eating it in bed. My kind of woman, indeed! 

Even if you think you're not into poetry, I strongly encourage you to to Baer's first collection and this new one, which is wildly clever.

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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