Random Characters & Everyday Objects
Nye is famous—sorry, we couldn't resist—for writing poems about ordinary objects and events, which she approaches from an unexpected angle. In fact, Nye revealed that, for her, "the primary source of poetry has always been local life, random characters met on the streets, our own ancestry sifting down to us through small essential daily tasks" (source). We're guessing that the smiling exchange with the sticky kid in the grocery line was inspired by real events.