Kay Poyer, Take Me Home
Notes on country roads, writer’s block, and what comes next.
Kay lives outside of Dallas but is on the brink of a move to New York City... I found myself in Texas and reached out to see if we could squeeze something in before she leaves.
We met in the parking lot of an antique mall the moment it opened. We wandered the aisles half-looking at things, half meeting each other. I liked her immediately. We’re both from Texas, which is its own kind of shorthand. We both love it in the way you only can if you’re from there.
I asked if I could photograph her against the open stretch of farmland on the far side of the parking lot — big sky, bales of hay, and nothing else. She laughed. “If you wanna see country,” she said, “I’ll show you country.” So she did!
“We’ll take my car,” she said. “I know where the potholes are.” Kay delivered for Pizza Hut on these backroads for years — knew exactly which stretches sneak up on you.
We ended up spending the whole day together — driving, talking, doubling back, talking more. About her process. About leaving Texas. About loving it. About what it means to be from somewhere people don’t always expect. There’s something special about photographing someone where both of your roots are planted — especially when they’re about to start a new chapter.
This is Kay Poyer.
Who inspires you?
Everyone around me, my friends. I am constantly trying to recreate them in words. Also, Ernest Hebert.
What can you tell us about your book?
I’m trying to balance the sex, the sadness, and the humor. I’m also trying to catch a couple lawsuits over it.
Djing or Dancing?
Dancing! I’m not superwoman.
Last thing that made you laugh?
A fart joke unfortunately. Laughed so hard I got the hiccups.
What does your perfect day look like?
An eggs Benedict, 67 degrees and cloudy. My phone has vanished and I have accepted it.
Last thing in your notes app?
“I get what I want and I never pay for it!” Not sure about context. I was probably drunk.
Comfort content?
Historical food and fashion videos, like V. Birchwood or Max Miller
What gets you out of writer’s block?
Nothing. I’ll shift my focus to other things, anything until the words come. Sometimes it’s praying, sometimes it’s drugs, sometimes it’s nothing at all. I think the block is the process for me.
What’s exciting you right now?
All the unwise decisions I’m planning to make very soon. The fallout makes life exciting. And I’m excited about New York, of course.
What can you not leave the house without?
Mascara. I can go out with no money, no phone, no ID and figure it out, but not without mascara on.
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How you can take Kay to dinner…