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] 448: Telephone of the Wind by Eddie Kim
Today’s poem is Telephone of the Wind by Eddie Kim. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 377: Moon Pull by Carlina Duan
Today’s poem is Moon Pull by Carlina Duan. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 871: Flesh (“You in your ecstasy of coffee”) by Deborah Landau
Today’s poem is Flesh (“You in your ecstasy of coffee”) by Deborah Landau. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1104: Black Book of Creation by Shanta Lee Gander
Today’s poem is Black Book of Creation by Shanta Lee Gander. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1332: Slow Take: An Evening of Poetry and Reflection with The Slowdown and The Porch
Today we’re bringing you the recording from Slow Take, our live event in Nashville this past April, featuring Major Jackson in conversation with Jad Abumrad…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 969: Us by Zaffar Kunial
Today’s poem is Us by Zaffar Kunial. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1152: from "The Crystal Text" by Clark Coolidge
Today’s poem is from "The Crystal Text" by Clark Coolidge. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 684: I Would Do Anything For Love, But I Won't by Traci Brimhall
Today’s poem is I Would Do Anything For Love, But I Won't by Traci Brimhall. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 531: anti-immigration by Evie Shockley
Today’s poem is anti-immigration by Evie Shockley. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 676: Last Sundays at Bootleggers by Carlos Andrés Gómez
Today’s poem is Last Sundays at Bootleggers by Carlos Andrés Gómez. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 516: In Response to Feeling Alone by t. liem
Today’s poem is In Response to Feeling Alone by t. liem. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 603: Sligo Abbey by Rebecca Lindenberg
Today’s poem is Sligo Abbey by Rebecca Lindenberg. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 373: Tracing the Horse by Diana Marie Delgado
Today’s poem is Tracing the Horse by Diana Marie Delgado. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 459: The Feeling by Ari Banias
Today’s poem is The Feeling by Ari Banias. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 303: Telling My Father by James Crews
Today’s poem is Telling My Father by James Crews. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 9: Portrait of the Alcoholic with Withdrawal by Kaveh Akbar
Today’s poem is Portrait of the Alcoholic with Withdrawal by Kaveh Akbar. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 311: Listen, by Barbara Crooker
Today’s poem is Listen, by Barbara Crooker. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 821: I Have No Idea What's Going to Happen by Justin Marks
Today’s poem is I Have No Idea What's Going to Happen by Justin Marks. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1113: Egrets, While War by Tishani Doshi
Today’s poem is Egrets, While War by Tishani Doshi. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1168: Refusing Rilke's "You must change your life" by Remica Bingham-Risher
Today’s poem is Refusing Rilke's "You must change your life" by Remica Bingham-Risher. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1201: Try to Praise the Mutilated World by Adam Zagajewski, translated by Clare Cavanagh
Today’s poem is Try to Praise the Mutilated World by Adam Zagajewski, translated by Clare Cavanagh. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1029: If I Told Him, A Completed Portrait of Picasso by Gertrude Stein
Today’s poem is If I Told Him, A Completed Portrait of Picasso by Gertrude Stein. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 600: I Imagine the Butches' Stripper Bar by Jill McDonough
Today’s poem is I Imagine the Butches' Stripper Bar by Jill McDonough. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 760: Song by Charif Shanahan
Today’s poem is Song by Charif Shanahan. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re going…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 647: Walking Across Fire Island by Shelley Wong
Today’s poem is Walking Across Fire Island by Shelley Wong. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 571: Golden Age by Chris Santiago
Today’s poem is Golden Age by Chris Santiago. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 708: Bruised Peaches by Bronwen Tate
Today’s poem is Bruised Peaches by Bronwen Tate. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 236: Polaroid Ode by Cori Winrock
Today’s poem is Polaroid Ode by Cori Winrock. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 389: Kissing the Opelu by Donovan Kūhiō
Today’s poem is Kissing the Opelu by Donovan Kūhiō Colleps. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 168: What Does It Say by Tess Gallagher
Today’s poem is What Does It Say by Tess Gallagher. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 386: Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong by Ocean Vuong
Today’s poem is Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong by Ocean Vuong. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 496: a brief meditation on breath by Yesenia Montilla
Today’s poem is a brief meditation on breath by Yesenia Montilla. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1025: I Am Trying to Love the Whole World by Jenny Browne
Today’s poem is I Am Trying to Love the Whole World by Jenny Browne. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 995: Dear—, by DéLana R.A. Dameron
Today’s poem is Dear—, by DéLana R.A. Dameron. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1202: If only by Dawn Lundy Martin
Today’s poem is If only by Dawn Lundy Martin. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 860: Learning Money in Reverse by Stephanie Niu
Today’s poem is Learning Money in Reverse by Stephanie Niu. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1132: Felonious States of Adjectival Excess Featuring Comparative and Superlative Forms by A. H. Jerriod Avant
Today’s poem is Felonious States of Adjectival Excess Featuring Comparative and Superlative Forms by A. H. Jerriod Avant. The Slowdown is currently taking a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 789: hoop snake by Rebecca Wee
Today’s poem is hoop snake by Rebecca Wee. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 547: Travel by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Today’s poem is Travel by Edna St. Vincent Millay. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 661: The Field by Rick Barot
Today’s poem is The Field by Rick Barot. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re going…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 765: a fishing story. by Mia S. Willis
Today’s poem is a fishing story. by Mia S. Willis. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 723: Divorce by José A. Alcántara
Today’s poem is Divorce by José A. Alcantara. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes from a new host. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 476: Minneapolipstick by Rachel McKibbens
Today’s poem is Minneapolipstick by Rachel McKibbens. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This week, we’re going…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 499: Leaving Tulsa by Jennifer Elise Foerster
Today’s poem is Leaving Tulsa by Jennifer Elise Foerster. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This week, we’re…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 143: Untitled by Sesshu Foster
Today’s poem is Untitled by Sesshu Foster. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This week, we’re going back into the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 282: Waiting for Happiness by Nomi Stone
Today’s poem is Waiting for Happiness by Nomi Stone. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This week, we’re going…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 305: Wake Up by Carl Phillips
Today’s poem is Wake Up by Carl Phillips. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. We’ll be back soon with new episodes. This week, we’re going back into the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1045: Sonnet for Ochún by Leslie Sainz
Today’s poem is Sonnet for Ochún by Leslie Sainz. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. We're currently taking a break and will be back soon with new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 865: Worry (the Dybbuk) by Anthony Immergluck
Today’s poem is Worry (the Dybbuk) by Anthony Immergluck. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. We're currently taking a break and will be back soon with…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 915: Who Among You Knows the Essence of Garlic? by Garrett Hongo
Today’s poem is Who Among You Knows the Essence of Garlic? by Garrett Hongo. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. We're currently taking a break and will…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 848: Six for Gold by Kate Hanson Foster
Today’s poem is Six for Gold by Kate Hanson Foster. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. We're currently taking a break and will be back soon with new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 846: Some Madness There by Charlotte Pence
Today’s poem is Some Madness There by Charlotte Pence. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. We're currently taking a break and will be back soon with new…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1331: The Party is Downstairs by Didi Jackson
Today’s poem is The Party is Downstairs by Didi Jackson.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem honors the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1330: Playback by Lauren Camp
Today’s poem is Playback by Lauren Camp. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I used to believe great art emerged from…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1329: Mantle by Kevin Young
Today’s poem is Mantle by Kevin Young. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s minimalist poem makes a poignant…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1328: Forge by Ethel Rackin
Today’s poem is Forge by Ethel Rackin. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem reminds me, in the midst of rapid…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1327: Gertrude: In the Rooms by Kate Daniels
Today’s poem is Gertrude: In the Rooms by Kate Daniels. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Given the challenges we face…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1326: The Slowdown Live
Today’s episode was recorded live onstage at The Crawford in Pasadena, in partnership with our friends at LAist. Listen to hear conversation, poems, and some…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1325: Flame by C.D. Wright
Today’s poem is Flame by C.D. Wright. Last week, our team attended the 2025 AWP Conference in Los Angeles. AWP is the Association of Writers and Writing…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1324: Why I Write Poetry by Major Jackson
Today’s poem is Why I Write Poetry by Major Jackson. In this episode, Major shares an important announcement. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual…