The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily 1418: Whitetail in the Rain Moving About by Melissa Ginsburg
Dec 23, 2025
This episode explores the delicate interaction between nature and urban life, as host Maggie Smith shares her encounters with deer in suburban areas. She reflects on the quiet grace of these creatures and the potential dangers they face. The highlight is a reading of Melissa Ginsburg's evocative poem that captures the essence of a deer moving through the rain-drenched landscape. The episode beautifully connects poetry with themes of reflection and awareness in our everyday surroundings.
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Deer Appearances Near Suburban Homes
- Maggie Smith describes seeing deer frequently near her parents' suburban home and in her own neighborhood.
- She shares how these encounters make her nervous because deer often risk crossing busy roads and getting hit by cars.
Waterways Guide Deer Into Danger
- Maggie observes that deer follow waterways into developed areas, ending up hemmed in by busy roads.
- This creates recurring safety risks where wildlife meets suburban infrastructure.
Childhood Home With Mounted Deer
- Maggie recalls her father's hunting and the taxidermied deer heads that lingered in their house.
- She notes the awkwardness of watching TV with a mounted buck staring with plastic eyes.