The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Today’s poem is Cinema Paradiso by Claire Booker. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. Around what has become known as “awards season,” casual conversations are abuzz with talk of the year’s movies. This week’s episodes explore how poets take up movies as subjects — how the two art forms intertwine to make us feel more closely this life we share. In this episode, Major writes… “One of my favorite moments in Italian Cinema is the movie Cinema Paradiso. It finds a young boy named Toto as the helper of a film projectionist named Alfredo. To satisfy Church authorities, Alfredo has to cut out all depictions of physical contact between people before showing the films. Young Toto moves away from the town of his youth to become a film director himself. When Alfredo dies, he leaves behind for Toto to view a gorgeous collage of kisses from banned movies over the years. The reel of intimate moments is a beautiful display of personal desires set against a national agenda of religious and moral strictures.” Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp

Today’s poem is Chaplinesque by Hart Crane. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. Around what has become known as “awards season,” casual conversations are abuzz with talk of the year’s movies. This week’s episodes explore how poets take up movies as subjects — how the two art forms intertwine to make us feel more closely this life we share. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s iconic Modernist poem celebrates the artist and movie icon who inspired generations of filmmakers and actors, but even more so, the man who both made us laugh at the folly of progress and urged us to embrace the tenderness of our hearts.” Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp

Today’s poem is One Shies at the Prospect of Raising Yet Another Defense of Cannibalism by Josh Bell. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. Around what has become known as “awards season,” casual conversations are abuzz with talk of the year’s movies. This week’s episodes explore how poets take up movies as subjects — how the two art forms intertwine to make us feel more closely this life we share. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem whimsically plays with faux intimacy as an aesthetic experience, and with the value of cinema, how our psychic needs for understanding are either thwarted or are actualized.” Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp

Dive into the intersection of film and poetry as the impact of awards season unfolds. Explore fear and curiosity inspired by the iconic movie Jaws. Personal anecdotes reveal the tension between enjoying the ocean and the underlying dread of its mysteries. Reflect on how these themes resonate through Emma Hine's poetry, connecting our childhood fears to adult experiences. It's a thought-provoking look at how art can mirror our shared human emotions.

In today's reflection, a poem reveals the beauty and limitations of human ingenuity. It highlights the struggles of a grandfather facing loneliness while navigating love and modern technology. The interplay between familial bonds and tech is examined, showing how gadgets sometimes fail to fill emotional voids. The discussion invites listeners to ponder the balance between innovation and genuine connection, reminding us that true solace comes from within, not from our devices.

Explore the fascinating relationship between poetry and science, as inspiration flows from engineering and biology. Through Mei-mei Berssenbrugge's poem, the beauty of a rose reveals themes of light, perception, and interconnection. Delve into how sensory experiences evoke emotions and memories, celebrating the unity with nature. Discover the illuminating bond between the observer and the garden, highlighting the profound significance of light and the interconnectedness of all living forms.

In a world yearning for kindness, the discussion emphasizes the vital role of care and compassion. It explores how love intertwines with our connection to the earth, highlighting its imperfections. Personal stories of loss reveal a deep emotional bond with nature, fostering a hopeful vision for future guardians of the planet. The poignant poem 'Earth, Earth' serves as a reminder of our responsibility and the healing power of empathy.

The poem explores the profound and tender complexities of sibling relationships. It highlights both the joy and anguish that come with these bonds, celebrating the beauty often overlooked. Nostalgia weaves through memories of midsummer moments, amplifying the contrast between joyful experiences and the pain of loss. This reflective journey captures the bittersweet nature of family connections and evokes vivid imagery of cherished times.

Explore the emotional landscape of travelers stuck on an airport runway, revealing their diverse reactions and interactions. Discover a chance meeting between a poet and an engineer that sparks deep conversations about forgiveness and life's journey. The conversation culminates in a heartfelt recitation of a poem that celebrates maternal resilience and our shared purpose in the universe.

Explore the healing power of physical activity as a remedy for stress and grief. Discover how running can enhance mental clarity and emotional well-being. Delve into the importance of sensory engagement, inspired by the poem 'Wind Ode.' Learn how being present and attentive transforms our connection to the world. Embrace the idea that giving your attention is a genuine act of love, encouraging a deeper appreciation of life's fleeting moments.