The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily 1399: Alarm Clock by Jennifer Maier
Nov 19, 2025
Explore the intriguing relationship between time and life in a reflective poem by Jennifer Maier. The imagery of a clock illustrates how we measure existence against the backdrop of infinity. The piece discusses the illusion of time slipping away with each tick and the paradox of trying to own moments. It contrasts the clock's whispers with the alarm that disrupts our lives, highlighting the struggle to connect across different time zones. This meditation invites listeners to ponder the essence of time and its fleeting nature.
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Episode notes
Explaining Time To Her Children
- Maggie Smith describes explaining daylight saving and time zones to her children as evidence that time is a human invention.
- She recounts kids asking if 7 o'clock is just true because people say so, highlighting the arbitrariness of clocks.
Time As A Construct
- Maggie Smith calls daylight saving time a clear demonstration that time is a social construct rather than an absolute.
- She notes how phrases like "my time" and "your time" feel strange because no time truly belongs to us.
Practical Timekeeping Frustrations
- Maggie mentions practical frustrations like mismatched microwave and oven clocks that she never updates.
- She also describes coordinating calls across time zones when traveling for work.