Shows / The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
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…
Episodes
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1466: Poem about everything except— by Amy Lemmon
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1482: XII. Southern Constellations by Brandon Kilbourne
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1410: Go by Kathleen Ossip
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1387: Different Kinds of Sadness by Jenny Molberg
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1469: Pardon My Heart by Marcus Jackson
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1576: What I Am Telling You, Jessica, Is That Those Chickens Are Fine by K.T. Landon
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1575: ode to the afternoon by Zeina Hashem Beck
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1574: Black Fairy Tale by Elizabeth Spires
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1573: Dialogue with the Oldest Tree in the U.S., whose Location is a Closely-Guarded Forest Service Secret by Nina Sudhakar
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1572: Summer Strawberries by Cat Wei
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1571: Guava Jelly by Quinn Franzen
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1570: Wabi-Sabi by Catherine Esposito Prescott
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1569: Someday by Mary Oliver
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1568: Panegyric by Leila Farjami
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1567: Assistance by Abbie Kiefer
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1566: What I Wanted to Keep Private by Melissa Crowe
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1565: bilingual by Mckendy Fils-Aimé
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1564: Young Widow at the Kitchen Window by Donna Spruijt-Metz
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1563: Return Path by Lesley Wheeler
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1562: Listening to Vespertine for Twenty Hours Straight by Derrick Austin
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……
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1561: So Much Space for Song by James Crews
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1560: Gratification to the survivors of daily damnations by Oladejo Abdullah Feranmi
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1559: Florida Doll Sonnet by Denise Duhamel and Maureen Seaton
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1558: Late Work by Andrés Cerpa
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1557: All Trains Are Going Local by Timothy Liu
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1556: Articulation of Solace by Yongyu Chen
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 Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1555: Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1554: Nobody's Job by Ronna Bloom
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1553: When you have to remind me to do the dishes by Isaac Pickell
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1552: Mother Church No. 3 by Robin Coste Lewis
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1551: Laurelhurst by David Biespiel
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1550: The Interpretation of Dreams by Kate Farrell
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1549: Thirst Trap by Caleb Curtiss
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1548: You're Supposed to Enjoy Dying by Colin Pope
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1547: Northern Flicker Reconsidered by Susan Rich
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1546: Pocket Dial by James Davis May
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 Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1545: Panis Angelicus by Carol Muske-Dukes
Today’s poem is Panis Angelicus by Carol Muske-Dukes. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… "There is music everywhere —…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1544: Versions of Girlhood by Tina Chang
Today’s poem is Versions of Girlhood by Tina Chang. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… "Today’s poem makes me feel seen…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1543: What the Suitcase Bearing My Family Name Might Have Contained When It Arrived at Auschwitz by Ava Nathaniel Winter
Today’s poem is What The Suitcase Bearing my Family Name Might Have Contained When it Arrived at Auschwitz by Ava Nathaniel Winter. The Slowdown is your daily…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1542: What We Wanted by Carol Moldaw
Today’s poem is What We Wanted by Carol Moldaw. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… "Maybe humans have muscle and sense…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1541: Poem to Watch over You by Omotara James
Today’s poem is Poem to Watch over You by Omotara James. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “On…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1540: Boombox Ode: Enjoy the Silence by K. Iver
Today’s poem is Boombox Ode: Enjoy the Silence by K. Iver. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes……
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1539: Pluto by Maggie Dietz
Today’s poem is Pluto by Maggie Dietz. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “When I was younger, I…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1538: Maps by Yesenia Montilla
Today’s poem is Maps by Yesenia Montilla. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “Today’s poem…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1537: Against Melancholy by Nathan McClain
Today’s poem is Against Melancholy by Nathan McClain. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “I often…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1536: i love you to the moon & by Chen Chen
Today’s poem is i love you to the moon & by Chen Chen. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “The moon…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1535: Goldfish by Francisco Márquez
Today’s poem is Goldfish by Francisco Márquez. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “When it comes…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1534: There Is Always Space in My Life for More Life by Natasha Rao
Today’s poem is There Is Always Space in My Life for More Life by Natasha Rao. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1533: The Good Life by Tracy K. Smith
Today’s poem is The Good Life by Tracy K. Smith. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “When my…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1532: Blue by Laura Villareal
Today’s poem is Blue by Laura Villareal. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “I believe color…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1531: Cheap Magic by Arielle Hebert
Today’s poem is Cheap Magic by Arielle Hebert. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When we wear a costume, or even an…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1530: At the End of a Good Week, the Van Broke Down by Mary Ardery
Today’s poem is At the End of a Good Week, the Van Broke Down by Mary Ardery. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes……
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1529: Prayer for My Unborn Niece or Nephew by Ross Gay
Today’s poem is Prayer for My Unborn Niece or Nephew by Ross Gay. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Hope — earnest…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1528: Isobutyl Nitrite by Kieron Walquist
Today’s poem is Isobutyl Nitrite by Kieron Walquist. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “In today’s poem, the speaker…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1527: Native Grasses by Lynnell Edwards
Today’s poem is Native Grasses by Lynnell Edwards. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When my son was younger, he loved…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1526: Missing by Mary Morris
Today’s poem is Missing by Mary Morris. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Maybe it’s possible to have a welcome…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1525: The Burning Kite by Ouyang Jianghe, translated by Austin Woerner
Today’s poem is The Burning Kite by Ouyang Jianghe, translated by Austin Woerner. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes……
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1524: Coral, Again by Juliana Spahr
Today’s poem is Coral, Again by Juliana Spahr. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When we talk about the health of…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1523: The Village by Marc Harshman
Today’s poem is The Village by Marc Harshman. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “A decade or so ago, I had the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1522: The Long Run by Linda Gregerson
Today’s poem is The Long Run by Linda Gregerson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “I have to remain optimistic —…