The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily 1438: The Long Now by Robin Beth Schaer
Jan 20, 2026
In a touching exploration of childhood curiosity, the host reflects on how children naturally embrace big questions about the world. Rather than providing definitive answers, she emphasizes the importance of listening and fostering wonder in young minds. The featured poem, 'The Long Now,' beautifully weaves imagery of stars and infinity, contrasting time and loss while celebrating presence in a vast universe. This poetic journey encourages endless questioning and honors the child’s role as a fixed point amidst life's mysteries.
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Children As Natural Philosophers
- Children naturally ask profound questions about life, death, and time.
- Maggie Smith suggests we don't need to supply answers but can honor their curiosity by listening.
Honor Questions With Listening
- Listen to children's questions without feeling compelled to answer everything.
- Stay open and honor their curiosity rather than pretending you have all the answers.
Memory Of Early Parent-Child Time
- The poem addresses a child who asks about stars, days, and the nature of things.
- The speaker recalls when the child was small and they lived 'outside of time' with milk and sleep.