The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

1342: [encore] And Then It Was Less Bleak Because We Said So by Wendy Xu Oct 14, 2026 00:05:37 Today’s poem is And Then It Was Less Bleak Because We Said So by Wendy Xu. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When the world is on fire, it can feel frivolous to go dancing, to go to concerts, to host parties, to take vacations. Today’s poem so beautifully addresses the importance of holding onto joy—and onto one another—when the world feels dismal.

1339: [encore] Wind-Related Ripple in the Wheatfield by Mikko Harvey Oct 13, 2026 00:05:38 Today’s poem is Wind-Related Ripple in the Wheatfield by Mikko Harvey. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Who might I have been—or with whom, or where—if the timing had been different? Did I arrive too late to certain parts of my life, or too early? Or am I right on time? The “Choose Your Own Adventure” aspect of life is something on my mind a lot.

1338: [encore] Are you bringing fruits, plants, seeds, by Karen Llagas Oct 12, 2026 00:06:09 Today’s poem is Are you bringing fruits, plants, seeds, by Karen Llagas. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem looks at the anxiety and the absurdity of America: How many people seem fixated on the dangers outside our borders without acknowledging the dangers within.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown wit

R.K. Russell: They/Them by Danez Smith (Extended Version) Oct 9, 2026 00:16:54 Today’s poem is They/Them by Danez Smith, with special guest R.K. Russell. R.K. Russell is an NFL legend, writer, and social justice advocate who made history by becoming the first out active NFL player to identify as bisexual.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, R.K. shares… “Oftentimes we see writing as a reflection of society, when really writing is where we bend

R.K. Russell: They/Them by Danez Smith Oct 8, 2026 00:06:40 Today’s poem is They/Them by Danez Smith, with special guest R.K. Russell. R.K. Russell is an NFL legend, writer, and social justice advocate who made history by becoming the first out active NFL player to identify as bisexual.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, R.K. shares… “When you start to want to live authentically as yourself, there are also sacrifices that mu

1337: [encore] New York Address by Linda Gregg Oct 7, 2026 00:05:47 Today’s poem is New York Address by Linda Gregg. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this encore episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem captures that feeling when you’ve just had it — you’ve absolutely hit your limit. But at the same time, you realize that you’re the only person who can pick yourself back up. You have to keep yourself going.” This show is supported by gifts from l

1335: [encore] Bonfire Opera by Danusha Laméris Oct 6, 2026 00:05:46 Today’s poem is Bonfire Opera by Danusha Laméris. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this encore episode, Maggie writes… “Yes, I have new lines around my eyes and new glints of silver in my hair, but my body continues to surprise me in wonderful ways, too. It brings me a lot of pleasure—maybe even more pleasure than it did when I was in my teens, twenties, and even thirties. Bec

1334: [encore] Étude by Amy Gerstler Oct 5, 2026 00:05:37 Today’s poem is Étude by Amy Gerstler. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this encore episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is a celebration of sound, and also a celebration of our own power to interpret sound and make meaning—as poets do. Poems, like songs, are meant to live in the air. They are their own music.”This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdo

David Duchovny: Dream Song 1 by John Berryman (Extended Version) Oct 2, 2026 00:09:28 Today’s poem is Dream Song 1 by John Berryman, with special guest David Duchovny. You know him from his breakout role as Fox Mulder on The X-Files, as well as appearances on other hit series like Californication and Twin Peaks. Here’s an extended conversation with David that we hope you enjoy.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, David shares… “I remember when I first

David Duchovny: Dream Song 1 by John Berryman Oct 1, 2026 00:06:33 Today’s poem is Dream Song 1 by John Berryman, with special guest David Duchovny. You know him from his breakout role as Fox Mulder on The X-Files, as well as appearances on other hit series like Californication and Twin Peaks. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, David shares… “Every day is a loss. We can focus on love and focus on positives, but the fact is we're l

1333: [encore] Crossing the Line by E. Ethelbert Miller Sep 30, 2026 00:05:04 Today’s poem is Crossing the Line by E. Ethelbert Miller. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem reads to me like a love poem, a tribute, to a long friendship. It reminds me that part of how we know ourselves is through the people who know us best, and who have loved us through our changes.”This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Su

1430: [encore] Earth Shovel by Dan Albergotti Sep 29, 2026 00:06:38 Today’s poem is Earth Shovel by Dan Albergotti. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem, which looks at the fragility of our planet, begins with two epigraphs. One is from American astronomer Carl Sagan, from his book Pale Blue Dot. The other is the famous line from politician Michael Steele.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners.

1359: [encore] Lotioning My Mother’s Back by Ama Codjoe Sep 28, 2026 00:05:41 Today’s poem is Lotioning My Mother’s Back by Ama Codjoe. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “The world feels like a hard place right now—a not very soft and tender place. In times that feel difficult, it’s tempting to retreat, to harden ourselves, to “numb out.” But I think, more and more, that tenderness is what we need—toward one another, and towa

[encore] 1501: at the baggage claim in JFK by Lo Naylor Sep 25, 2026 00:06:41 Today’s poem is at the baggage claim in JFK by Lo Naylor. This episode was originally released on April 24, 2026.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When I’m preparing for a multi-city book tour, I’m not nervous about reading in front of people or answering questions or finding my way around a strange place. I’m nervous about getting where I’m going.

[encore] 1445: Hackberry by Cecily Parks Sep 24, 2026 00:06:24 Today’s poem is Hackberry by Cecily Parks. This episode was originally released on January 29, 2026.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is a kind of love poem—to a beloved tree, and to the sense of home it created.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate

[encore] 1568: Panegyric by Leila Farjami Sep 23, 2026 00:06:57 Today’s poem is Panegyric by Leila Farjami. This episode was originally released on July 28, 2026.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Poems that engage with war and grief are texts that communicate to us in ways that news articles about war, and loss, and grief cannot. An article might tell us what happened, who died, how many casualties there were.

[encore] 1507: How to Dress a Star by Nicholas Goodly Sep 22, 2026 00:06:03 Today’s poem is How to Dress a Star by Nicholas Goodly. This episode was originally released on May 4, 2026.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem reminds me to feel tenderness toward the earlier versions of me. It reminds me that we should acknowledge our past selves more. Just think of what earlier versions of you were able to endure. Ble

[encore] 1347: Animal Prudence by Kathy Fagan Sep 21, 2026 00:05:56 Today’s poem is Animal Prudence by Kathy Fagan. This episode was originally released on September 8, 2025.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is a favorite of mine for its associative leaps—the way it carries us from image to image, memory to memory. I admire the way it uses the language we encounter in our lives to make those leaps: roa

[encore] 1336: I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson Sep 18, 2026 00:06:35 Today’s poem is I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson. This episode was originally released on August 22, 2025. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “One thing I love about poems is how they give us the opportunity to take our time, to dial in, to look and listen closely. Not everything screams to be noticed. Some things barely whisper! Or

[encore] 1369: Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes by Kathleen Driskell Sep 17, 2026 00:05:57 Today’s poem is Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes by Kathleen Driskell. This episode was originally released on October 8, 2025. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem tells a story about a tense encounter in the woods. I so admire how this poet unfolds the narrative, then leaves me sighing deeply at the end.” This show is supported by

[encore] 1520: The New City by Hieu Minh Nguyen Sep 16, 2026 00:05:41 Today’s poem is The New City by Hieu Minh Nguyen. This episode was originally released on May 21, 2026.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “There’s a very specific pleasure in doing things alone. Going to the movies by yourself, sitting in the dark with your own drink and popcorn or candy that you don’t have to share, and sitting anywhere you want in

[encore] 1412: Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story) by Amorak Huey Sep 15, 2026 00:05:43 Today’s poem is Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story) by Amorak Huey. This episode was originally released on December 15, 2025. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem calls itself an ars poetica, a love poem, and a true story. That’s a lot of work for one poem to do — a lot of layers of meaning! But this poet does speak to the preca

[encore] 1427: A toast to something beautiful flapping in the wind by J. Hope Stein Sep 14, 2026 00:05:55 Today’s poem is A toast to something beautiful flapping in the wind by J. Hope Stein. This episode was originally released on January 5, 2026. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Once upon a time, I was a new mother with a baby girl in my arms, and I was her whole world. It was seventeen years ago, but sometimes I swear I can transport myself back th

[encore] 1491: The Plum You're Going to Eat Next Summer by Gayle Brandeis Sep 11, 2026 00:06:04 Today’s poem is The Plum You're Going to Eat Next Summer by Gayle Brandeis. This episode was originally released on April 10, 2026. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I know optimism can be a tough sell when there’s so much suffering, so much difficulty, in the world. But this brokenness is exactly why we need more poems, more paintings, more films,

[encore] 1358: Parts of a Body House by Erika Meitner Sep 10, 2026 00:05:48 Today’s poem is Parts of a Body House by Erika Meitner. This episode was originally released on September 23, 2025. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “It struck me recently how much technology has changed our relationships with our bodies. There are devices that tell us how well (or poorly) we slept the night before, how many steps we took in a give

[encore] 1478: If Night You Were a City by Adam Wiedewitsch Sep 9, 2026 00:06:17 Today’s poem is If Night You Were a City by Adam Wiedewitsch. This episode was originally released on March 17, 2026.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I’ve always loved myths, legends, fables, and fairy tales. When I was young, the myth of Icarus was one that captured my imagination.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slow

[encore] 1362: For You Who Have Loved Old Dogs by Silas House Sep 8, 2026 00:05:50 Today’s poem is For You Who Have Loved Old Dogs by Silas House. This episode was originally released on September 29, 2025.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “My Boston terrier, Phoebe, is about to turn eleven, so if she were a human, she’d be a 77 year old woman. If Phoebe were one of the Golden Girls, she’d probably be Rose: quirky, loyal, a little

[encore] 1373: Protection Spell Jar by Cynthia Marie Hoffman Sep 7, 2026 00:05:40 Today’s poem is Protection Spell Jar by Cynthia Marie Hoffman. This episode was originally released on October 14, 2025.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this encore episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is from a collection of prose poems that chronicles a woman’s journey through obsessive-compulsive disorder, from childhood into adulthood. I admire the way we’re invited into

1586: WHITMAN: by Larry Levis Sep 4, 2026 00:05:38 Today’s poem is WHITMAN: by Larry Levis.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “Every year, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs holds a conference in a different American city. A few years ago, when the literary industry descended on Kansas City, a poet I know posted on Instagram that he wanted to go to Charlie Parker’s grave

1585: Dialogue on Violence by Jayne Cortez Sep 3, 2026 00:06:47 Today’s poem is Dialogue on Violence by Jayne Cortez.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “If you’re listening to this episode first thing in the morning or as you go to sleep, looking for something easeful, I should apologize. Today’s poem is not that. It is a grim litany. But I think by naming our harsh reality, it holds out hope for

1584: Missed Time by Ha Jin Sep 2, 2026 00:04:46 Today’s poem is Missed Time by Ha Jin.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “I love to journal as documentation. To remember what happened in my day-to-day, even the small things I see and feel. I can thus make my own life real to myself. This is something I’ve worked out over time. When I look back at my first blue notebook, the recoll

1583: Are You Not Tired Yet? by Mohammed al-Khatib, translated by Tayseer Abu Odeh and Sherah Bloor Sep 1, 2026 00:05:06 Today’s poem is Are You Not Tired Yet? by Mohammed al-Khatib.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “Though under ceasefire at the time of this recording, Gazans are still living in unimaginably difficult conditions, largely uprooted from their homes and experiencing limited access to resources and information. There has been a massive l

1582: Visitor's Center by T Bambrick Aug 31, 2026 00:04:52 Today’s poem is Visitor's Center by T Bambrick.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “Today’s poem takes me back to a specificity of a Washington State public school education: learning the intricacies of salmon, sturgeon, dams, ecology, and electricity. What I didn’t see then, that I see now, is the tension between control and apprecia

From Death of an Artist | Petra Mathers and Her Michael Aug 29, 2026 00:04:59 We’re bringing you a preview of the new series from the podcast, Death of An Artist. In February 2024, celebrated children’s book author and illustrator Petra Mathers and her husband, photographer Michael Mathers, mailed letters to dozens of friends and family members to let them know they had died by suicide. Petra and Michael were by all accounts healthy, happy, and in love. Why did the

1581: Stop Thinking & End Your Problems by Elisa Gabbert Aug 28, 2026 00:05:50 Today’s poem is Stop Thinking & End Your Problems by Elisa Gabbert.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “So often my mind feels crowded. Busy. Like a rush hour intersection of internal monologue. I’ve tried lots of strategies. I’m still trying new strategies. Blocking out focus time, tweaking notifications, using restrictions. My f

1580: Story of My Life by Jameson Fitzpatrick Aug 27, 2026 00:05:43 Today’s poem is Story of My Life by Jameson Fitzpatrick.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “Today’s poem shows us how our desires are about both projection and possession.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate

1579: Rain by Jennifer Grotz Aug 26, 2026 00:05:01 Today’s poem is Rain by Jennifer Grotz.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “Loss of possibility is one of the greatest heartbreaks we can face. But today’s poem knows the bittersweet secret: that our memories of the possible are ours to keep.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today.

1578: Lover of Cars by Olivia Sokolowski Aug 25, 2026 00:05:44 Today’s poem is Lover of Cars by Olivia Sokolowski. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “I keep today’s poem taped on my wall. I thought it spoke to me because it connects my father’s love of cars to my own love of poetry. But I realized, in writing this, that what it does on a craft level is what knocks me off my feet every time.” Th

1577: Portrait of the Speaker Riding a Greyhound Bus by Eduardo Martinez-Leyva Aug 24, 2026 00:04:39 Today’s poem is Portrait of the Speaker Riding a Greyhound Bus by Eduardo Martinez-Leyva. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Myka Kielbon writes… “In the seemingly endless spring of 2020, my roommate and I briefly decamped Los Angeles and holed up with her family in Southern Oregon. The town was already quiet during the best of times; that spring, it wa

[encore] 1486: from Perihelion: A History of Touch by Franny Choi Aug 21, 2026 00:05:49 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This encore episode was originally released on April 3, 2026.Today’s poem is from Perihelion: A History of Touch by Franny Choi. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is about the snow moon, the first full moon of February. The explanation behind the name “snow moon” is

[encore] 1438: The Long Now by Robin Beth Schaer Aug 20, 2026 00:06:36 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This encore episode was originally released on January 20, 2026.Today’s poem is The Long Now by Robin Beth Schaer.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem addresses a child—a child full of questions about the world. It reminds me that as parents, we don’t need to have the a

[encore] 1355: Rancho Bar by Margot Kahn Aug 19, 2026 00:05:45 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This encore episode was originally released on September 18, 2026.Today’s poem is Rancho Bar by Margot Kahn.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem looks, tenderly, at two siblings attempting to close the distance between them. The poem is made even more poignant by the fa

[encore] 1340: From the Sky by Sara Abou Rashed Aug 18, 2026 00:06:15 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This encore episode was originally released on August 28, 2025.Today’s poem is From the Sky by Sara Abou Rashed. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When I think about ways to foster empathy, perspective, and care, one of those ways is poetry. I know poetry can’t stop bombs from fa

[encore] 1464: Somewhere Else by Adam J. Gellings Aug 17, 2026 00:05:58 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This encore episode was originally released on February 25, 2026.Today’s poem is Somewhere Else by Adam J. Gellings. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I was born at 4:30 in the afternoon on a cold Sunday in February. All of this is either useless information — time of day, day of

[encore] 1466: Poem about everything except— by Amy Lemmon Aug 14, 2026 00:06:58 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. Today’s encore episode was originally released on February 27, 2026.Today’s poem is Poem about everything except— by Amy Lemmon.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I was drawn to today’s poem from the get-go because of its title: ”Poem about everything except—.” I went in anticipat

[encore] 1482: XII. Southern Constellations by Brandon Kilbourne Aug 13, 2026 00:05:52 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. Today’s encore episode was originally released on March 30, 2026.Today’s poem is XII. Southern Constellations by Brandon Kilbourne. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “No matter where I am in the world, no matter what beautiful landscape I might find myself in, no matter what new e

[encore] 1410: Go by Kathleen Ossip Aug 12, 2026 00:06:17 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. Today’s encore episode was originally released on December 4, 2025.Today’s poem is Go by Kathleen Ossip.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Other poems are like strands of pearls, long and lustrous and nearly impossible to gather into your hands all at once.” Celebrate the power of

[encore] 1387: Different Kinds of Sadness by Jenny Molberg Aug 11, 2026 00:05:28 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. Today’s encore episode was originally released on November 3, 2025.Today’s poem is Different Kinds of Sadness by Jenny Molberg.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When I lost my joy, my generous friends were there. It can be so hard to accept help from others, especially if you pri

[encore] 1469: Pardon My Heart by Marcus Jackson Aug 10, 2026 00:05:48 The Slowdown is taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. Today’s encore episode was originally released on March 4, 2026. Today’s poem is Pardon My Heart by Marcus Jackson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “If I had a different kind of heart, a tougher heart, would I be able to see what’s happening in the world around me and not feel s

1576: What I Am Telling You, Jessica, Is That Those Chickens Are Fine by K.T. Landon Aug 7, 2026 00:07:06 Today’s poem is What I Am Telling You, Jessica, Is That Those Chickens Are Fine by K.T. Landon.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Several of our neighbors have backyard coops, and occasionally we’re offered fresh eggs. Unfortunately, the raccoons and possums (and maybe even a fox) have encountered the chickens, too. There are fewer now.” This show i

1575: ode to the afternoon by Zeina Hashem Beck Aug 6, 2026 00:07:05 Today’s poem is ode to the afternoon by Zeina Hashem Beck.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “‘Que Sera Sera’ is a song I remember my mother singing when I was small. Which is fitting, as the song opens with these words: ‘When I was just a little girl I asked my mother what will I be.’ I remember part of the chorus well: ‘Que Sera Sera, whatever will

1574: Black Fairy Tale by Elizabeth Spires Aug 5, 2026 00:06:48 Today’s poem is Black Fairy Tale by Elizabeth Spires. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When I was old enough, I found my way to the collected Brothers Grimm, but even then I wasn’t quite old enough for the violence I found inside. Cinderella’s sisters butchered their own feet to try to fit into the glass slipper! That bloody plot detail certainly

1573: Dialogue with the Oldest Tree in the U.S., whose Location is a Closely-Guarded Forest Service Secret by Nina Sudhakar Aug 4, 2026 00:07:17 Today’s poem is Dialogue with the Oldest Tree in the U.S., whose Location is a Closely-Guarded Forest Service Secret by Nina Sudhakar.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I like to think that I’m still growing as a person. That every year I become older, I truly grow older, developing some new part of myself. Conversations about aging so often dwell o

1572: Summer Strawberries by Cat Wei Aug 3, 2026 00:05:39 Today’s poem is Summer Strawberries by Cat Wei. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “We move through life with so many doors opening and closing all around us. One of the gifts and burdens of being human is being aware of time, and impermanence, and our own mortality. That awareness keeps us grateful for what we have, but it can also make us fearful t

1571: Guava Jelly by Quinn Franzen Jul 31, 2026 00:06:56 Today’s poem is Guava Jelly by Quinn Franzen.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Sometimes, as we see in today’s poem, even when things are difficult, even just the smallest bit of sweetness helps.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today.Slowdownshow.org/donate

1570: Wabi-Sabi by Catherine Esposito Prescott Jul 30, 2026 00:06:24 Today’s poem is Wabi-Sabi by Catherine Esposito Prescott. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem invites us to celebrate what is, rather than what could be — so it invites us to accept ourselves exactly as we are.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today.Slowdownshow.org/donate

1569: Someday by Mary Oliver Jul 29, 2026 00:06:28 Today’s poem is Someday by Mary Oliver. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “You have one of our listeners to thank for today’s poem — well, one of our listeners for suggesting it, and the beloved Mary Oliver for writing it.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate

1568: Panegyric by Leila Farjami Jul 28, 2026 00:06:57 Today’s poem is Panegyric by Leila Farjami. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Poems that engage with war and grief are texts that communicate to us in ways that news articles about war, and loss, and grief cannot. An article might tell us what happened, who died, how many casualties there were. It should provide facts as to who, what, where, when,

1567: Assistance by Abbie Kiefer Jul 27, 2026 00:06:06 Today’s poem is Assistance by Abbie Kiefer. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I famously have a brown thumb, as they call it. For as much as I love trees and appreciate flowers when I see them, I haven’t thought to plant and tend to them myself. For as much as I love fresh cucumber and zucchini and herbs, I’ve never planted them. Maybe someday that

1566: What I Wanted to Keep Private by Melissa Crowe Jul 24, 2026 00:06:21 Today’s poem is What I Wanted to Keep Private by Melissa Crowe.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I think self-compassion is the most challenging kind of compassion. We are so hard on ourselves, aren’t we? We humans carry around so much guilt and shame. We ruminate about breakups and arguments. We think about the things we said in anger that we wish

1565: bilingual by Mckendy Fils-Aimé Jul 23, 2026 00:06:09 Today’s poem is bilingual by Mckendy Fils-Aimé. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “You know we love language at The Slowdown. We spend time every weekday celebrating the power of words! And language isn’t just a tool for communication or self-expression, it’s a part of who we are. Language and culture are deeply intertwined. Language connects us to

1564: Young Widow at the Kitchen Window by Donna Spruijt-Metz Jul 22, 2026 00:05:07 Today’s poem is Young Widow at the Kitchen Window by Donna Spruijt-Metz.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “We know holidays and anniversaries will be difficult: Mother’s Day after you lose your mom, birthdays after your loved one is gone, Thanksgiving with the family around the table and some beloveds missing. We know this pain.But grief isn’t somet

1563: Return Path by Lesley Wheeler Jul 21, 2026 00:05:55 Today’s poem is Return Path by Lesley Wheeler.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “The multiple repetitions and the circular nature of the villanelle make it a good form for poems that grapple with an insistent memory, an unresolved emotion, or a feeling of being trapped. But the form can be a container for any kind of subject matter in which repetiti

1562: Listening to Vespertine for Twenty Hours Straight by Derrick Austin Jul 20, 2026 00:05:49 Today’s poem is Listening to Vespertine for Twenty Hours Straight by Derrick Austin.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “If you’re lucky, you have friends who might sense the shift in your emotional weather: the clouds rolling in, the sky darkening. If you’re very lucky, those friends might know what to do without being asked or prompted. They might c

1561: So Much Space for Song by James Crews Jul 17, 2026 00:05:52 Today’s poem is So Much Space for Song by James Crews. Sharing poetry is a two-way street. So today, you'll be hearing a poem selected by one of our listeners. Today’s selection was submitted by Rekha from Washington, D.C.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Rekha reflects… “Today's poem shows us that we are part of nature. We always tend to think of birds and animal

1560: Gratification to the survivors of daily damnations by Oladejo Abdullah Feranmi Jul 16, 2026 00:05:13 Today’s poem is Gratification to the survivors of daily damnations by Oladejo Abdullah Feranmi. Sharing poetry is a two-way street. So today, you'll be hearing a poem selected by one of our listeners. Today’s selection was submitted by Abdulmueed from Oyo, Nigeria.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Abdulmueed reflects… “Today's poem is an invitation for you to live

1559: Florida Doll Sonnet by Denise Duhamel and Maureen Seaton Jul 15, 2026 00:05:18 Today’s poem is Florida Doll Sonnet by Denise Duhamel and Maureen Seaton. Sharing poetry is a two-way street. So today, you'll be hearing a poem selected by one of our listeners. Today’s selection was submitted by J.D. from Texas.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, J.D. reflects… “Today's poem is a cheeky tableau of a grocery store where we get to see what we presen

1558: Late Work by Andrés Cerpa Jul 14, 2026 00:04:34 Today’s poem is Late Work by Andrés Cerpa. Sharing poetry is a two-way street. So today, you'll be hearing a poem selected by one of our listeners. Today’s selection was submitted by Meghan from Pennsylvania.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Meghan reflects… “Today's poem is determined to be hopeful in a way, and it's a kind of hope that seems to exist among all o

1557: All Trains Are Going Local by Timothy Liu Jul 13, 2026 00:05:24 Today’s poem is All Trains Are Going Local by Timothy Liu. Sharing poetry is a two-way street. So today, you'll be hearing a poem selected by one of our listeners. Today’s selection was submitted by Prerna from Assam, India.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Prerna reflects… “Today's poem takes me back to the timelessness of the pandemic. After reading this poem, I

1556: Articulation of Solace by Yongyu Chen Jul 10, 2026 00:07:49 Today’s poem is Articulation of Solace by Yongyu Chen.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I’ve read a lot of books over the years, and some have fundamentally changed not only the way I write but the way I think. I mean books that broke everything wide open for me, showing me possibilities — in form, and in content — that I couldn’t access before.

1555: Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye Jul 9, 2026 00:06:18 Today’s poem is Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Wherever you live, you don’t have to be nice. But please be kind. We need more genuine, altruistic kindness in this world. So, how can you be more kind? By helping others without being performative about it, and without needing recognition. By letting people know you’re

1554: Nobody's Job by Ronna Bloom Jul 8, 2026 00:05:28 Today’s poem is Nobody's Job by Ronna Bloom.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “We call an ending “resonant” because it does what a bell does: After it’s rung, the vibration lingers. It reverberates. It sticks with you long after you’ve read the piece, humming in your head. Today’s poem is beautiful start to finish, but the ending astonished me. It m

1553: When you have to remind me to do the dishes by Isaac Pickell Jul 7, 2026 00:05:38 Today’s poem is When you have to remind me to do the dishes by Isaac Pickell.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When I think back to my own upbringing and what I learned from my mother and father, almost none of it has to do with growing up as a girl. I got my work ethic, sense of humor, and sense of fairness from both of them. I remind myself of al

1552: Mother Church No. 3 by Robin Coste Lewis Jul 6, 2026 00:06:30 Today’s poem is Mother Church No. 3 by Robin Coste Lewis.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “It’s incredible to me that less than two hours from my home in the Midwestern suburbs is an enormous ancient earthwork. But that’s the thing about history — it layers on top of itself in unexpected ways. No matter where you live in the United States, you live

1551: Laurelhurst by David Biespiel Jul 3, 2026 00:07:14 Today’s poem is Laurelhurst by David Biespiel.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem makes its many, intentional observations at the pace of a good, long walk.” This show is made possible by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown today. Slowdownshow.org/donate

1550: The Interpretation of Dreams by Kate Farrell Jul 2, 2026 00:06:29 Today’s poem is The Interpretation of Dreams by Kate Farrell. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “The grand adventures or scary disasters that happen in our sleep are most interesting to the dreamers themselves, because a dream is a window into the subconscious. It’s a little peek into what your mind is actually chewing on, maybe without you even rea

1549: Thirst Trap by Caleb Curtiss Jul 1, 2026 00:06:41 Today’s poem is Thirst Trap by Caleb Curtiss. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “People post seductive selfies for all kinds of reasons. They might want validation in the forms of likes and comments. They might be single and hoping to meet someone online. They might be trying to build a following, or promote a product. Someone’s face or body is goin

1548: You're Supposed to Enjoy Dying by Colin Pope Jun 30, 2026 00:06:40 Today’s poem is You're Supposed to Enjoy Dying by Colin Pope. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “There are so many things to fear — spiders, snakes, heights, deep water, the dark. I have a friend who is so fearful of rats, you can’t even say the word in her presence. I’d say that most of these fears are rational. Snakes and spiders can bite, and som

1547: Northern Flicker Reconsidered by Susan Rich Jun 29, 2026 00:05:50 Today’s poem is Northern Flicker Reconsidered by Susan Rich. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Once, during a Q&A after a reading, a woman raised her hand to ask, ‘What’s with all the birds in your poems?’ I had to laugh. She was right: the hawks, grackles, and starlings of my neighborhood have called and swooped into many of my poems. I told h

1546: Pocket Dial by James Davis May Jun 26, 2026 00:05:34 Today’s poem is Pocket Dial by James Davis May. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes... "It’s a strangely intimate thing, the pocket dial. When we’re on the receiving end, we find ourselves listening from a tucked away place close to someone’s body. It’s a pitfall of carrying our devices with us. Previous generations, generations who grew up without cel

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