The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
American Public Media
Host Maggie Smith is your daily poetry companion. Poetry is one of the greatest tools we have to wield our own attention — to consider our own lives and the lives of others, to help us live creatively and compassionately, to use that attention to lean into wonder, and joy, and truth, and to find hope — to keep hoping. The Slowdown community knows that reflecting on a poem, every weekday, can connect us to our inner world and the world around us. Listen as you make your morning coffee, as you go on a walk in your neighborhood, as you pull away from the to-do list, as you resist the dismal, endless scroll to share five minutes of perspective through the lens of poetry, from poets old and new, well-loved and emerging onto the scene. Brought to you by American Public Media, in partnership with the Poetry Foundation.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 30, 2025 • 5min
1385: At Night by Stanley Plumly
Maggie Smith delves into the complexities of solitude, sharing her own experiences as a solo parent and artist. She reflects on the necessity and challenges of being alone, especially during lockdown. The discussion highlights Stanley Plumly's profound understanding of solitude in a poet's life. Listeners are treated to a reading of Plumly's poignant poem, At Night, which explores themes of darkness, memory, and maternal absence. This reflective journey invites an appreciation for the power and depth of poetry.
Oct 29, 2025 • 6min
1384: I do not mention the war in my birthplace to my six-year-old son but somehow his body knows by Julia Kolchinsky
A mother reflects on her young daughter's profound, unanswerable questions about life and war. She grapples with the challenge of discussing difficult truths with children while protecting their innocence. Poetry emerges as a powerful tool for navigating these complex emotions. Today's featured poem delves into a child's intrinsic awareness of conflict, exploring the silence parents often maintain. The conversation highlights the intersection of parenting, existential queries, and the emotional weight poetry can carry.
Oct 28, 2025 • 6min
1383: The Situation in Our City by Ciona Rouse
Today's poetry reflects on the duality of joy and tragedy in our lives. A poignant piece by Ciona Rouse explores themes of chance and our shared responsibilities, highlighting the care we owe to one another. It contrasts the celebration of life with the deep grief of loss, focusing on a child's birth alongside the violent backdrop of a nearby murder. The poem also delves into how families respond to urban violence, showcasing intimate moments of protection and love in the face of fear.
Oct 27, 2025 • 5min
1382: Lamb by Richie Hofmann
Maggie shares a heartfelt reminiscence about her childhood doll, Pink Baby, exploring themes of comfort and attachment. The poignant reading of 'Lamb' by Richie Hofmann invites listeners to reflect on loss through the innocent eyes of a child. The episode highlights how cherished objects shape our emotions and memories, bridging past and present. It’s a touching blend of personal narrative and poetry that emphasizes the timeless significance of love and connection.
Oct 24, 2025 • 7min
1381: What Is This Air Changing, This Warm Aura, These Threads of Air Vibrating Rows of People by Ariel Yelen
Today’s poem is What Is This Air Changing, This Warm Aura, These Threads of Air Vibrating Rows of People by Ariel Yelen. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Going to the elementary school choir concerts and winter music festivals, I got teary every time the kids sang. I told myself it was because of their sweet, little-kid voices, but that’s not the whole story. Something about hearing voices in unison—it’s powerful, and communal, and comforting, and deeply moving.”Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp
Oct 23, 2025 • 6min
1380: Like Apple from Seed by Molly Johnsen
Today’s poem is Like Apple from Seed by Molly Johnsen. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem begins with a beautiful story that the speaker’s father would tell her, and transforms as she becomes the family storyteller. Stories themselves are like seeds in our lives; so much can grow from them. There is so much potential waiting inside.”Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp
Oct 22, 2025 • 6min
1379: Arkansabop by Elizabeth Lindsey Rogers
Today’s poem is Arkansabop by Elizabeth Lindsey Rogers. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is as imagistic and musical as a song, and it’s deeply rooted in place. The poem borrows a refrain from a Lucinda Williams song.” Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp
Oct 21, 2025 • 6min
1378: poem where no one is deported by José Olivarez
Today’s poem is poem where no one is deported by José Olivarez.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem recounts a story of women outsmarting immigration officials who raid their factory, thanks to ‘dios del chisme,’ meaning ‘the god of gossip.’ The poem repeats a Spanish phrase, ‘si dios quiere,’ meaning ‘God Willing.’” Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp
Oct 20, 2025 • 6min
1377: The Crux by Megan Peak
Maggie Smith delves into the exhausting early days of motherhood, revealing how time blurs those memories. She reflects on the bittersweet transition from craving independence to missing the feeling of being needed. The reading of Megan Peak's poem, 'The Crux,' beautifully captures the complex emotions of love, caretaking, and the pangs of longing that accompany motherhood. This heartfelt journey invites listeners to appreciate the cycles of growth and connection.
Oct 17, 2025 • 6min
1376: Laura, I Want You Pulling Your Hair Back by Natalie Dunn
In this poignant conversation, the host delves into the beauty of loving others as they are, celebrating their unique quirks. Personal anecdotes illustrate how these idiosyncrasies shape identity and enrich relationships. A heartfelt reading of a touching poem encapsulates tender memories and the essence of unconditional acceptance. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences with love and individuality, highlighting the power of poetry to foster emotional connection.
