The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily 1441: Birthday Wish by David Groff
Jan 23, 2026
In today’s reflection, a poem invites contemplation on various forms of knowledge—humans, animals, and plants each possess their own understanding. The discussion emphasizes the contrast between cold facts and the deeper truths illuminated by poetry. The host explores how poetry helps articulate life’s mysteries, shaping our perception in profound ways. It’s a celebration of the diverse ways we come to know the world around us.
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Poetry Grips The Slippery Parts Of Life
- Poetry helps us grasp experiences that are slippery and resist factual explanation.
- Maggie Smith argues poems give a different kind of truth than searchable facts.
Childhood Memory Of 'Mark' As A Living Google
- Maggie Smith recounts how her parents used to call a friend named Mark for trivia before the internet.
- That memory illustrates how accessible facts are now compared to past reliance on individuals.
Different Kinds Of Knowing Are Equally Valid
- The poem contrasts human knowing with other forms of knowing in animals and plants.
- It suggests we needn't privilege our way of knowing over the simpler, sufficient knowing of other beings.