The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily 1369: Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes by Kathleen Driskell
Oct 8, 2025
A haunting poem unfolds a tense encounter in the wilderness, exploring the depths of fear and vulnerability. Maggie Smith reflects on women's apprehensions about male violence, highlighting the complexities of safety in everyday life. The narrative captivates with its dark woods imagery and a poignant resolution involving kindness and rescue. The discussion balances the beauty of poetry with weighty social themes, leaving listeners contemplating their own experiences and the power of words.
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Women's Fear Is Often Of Men
- Maggie Smith explains that women's primary fear in woods is other men rather than animals like bears.
- She links this fear to statistical reality about assault and violence committed mostly by men known to victims.
Precautions Are A Response To Real Risks
- Maggie Smith notes that assaults and threats women report are most often perpetrated by men they know.
- She emphasizes precautions women take (awareness, carrying defense, avoiding walking alone) are aimed at men, not animals.
Kindness Amid Threatening Company
- The poem depicts eight rough timber workers who pause and decide which two will drive her back.
- The narrator experiences acute fear but also later remembers the men's kindness that helped her reach safety.