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 Daily1323: The Ways of Remembering Women by Lynne Thompson
Today’s poem is The Ways of Remembering Women by Lynne Thompson. Last week, our team attended the 2025 AWP Conference in Los Angeles. AWP is the Association of…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1322: [as freedom is a breakfastfood] by E.E. Cummings
Today’s poem is [as freedom is a breakfastfood] by E.E. Cummings.Last week, our team attended the 2025 AWP Conference in Los Angeles. AWP is the Association of…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1321: The Running of Several Simulations at Once May Lead to Murky Data by Heather Christle
Today’s poem is The Running of Several Simulations at Once May Lead to Murky Data by Heather Christle.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1320: mulberry fields by Lucille Clifton
Today’s poem is mulberry fields by Lucille Clifton.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “American poetry gently mediates…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Dailyencore [902]: Morning in a City by J. Mae Barizo
Our episode today is one of many from the archives. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new poetry and reflection! Today’s poem is Morning in a City by J. Mae…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1319: The Rain, Life, and Other Things by Leah Umansky
Today’s poem is The Rain, Life, and Other Things by Leah Umansky. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I hear in today’s…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1318: Desert Sayings by Donovan McAbee
Today’s poem is Desert Sayings by Donovan McAbee. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s uproarious poem makes me…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1317: Grinning in Sardinia by Tomás Q. Morín
Today’s poem is Grinning in Sardinia by Tomás Q. Morín. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Writing is mining. That’s…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1316: Portrait of My Mother Studying for Her Citizenship Exam by Eduardo Martínez-Leyva
Today’s poem is Portrait of My Mother Studying for Her Citizenship Exam by Eduardo Martínez-Leyva. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Dailyencore [1224]: Here We Are by Lauren K. Watel
Our episode today is one of many from the archives. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new poetry and reflection! Today’s poem is Here We Are by Lauren K. Watel…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1315: Milestone 2 (We Laugh About the Weather, Its Permanence) by Divya Victor
Today’s poem is Milestone 2 (We Laugh About the Weather, Its Impermanence) by Divya Victor. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1314: If we had known, by Marissa Davis
Today’s poem is If we had known, by Marissa Davis. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I love how nature disrupts the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1313: A Little Slice of Heaven by Jaswinder Bolina
Today’s poem is A Little Slice of Heaven by Jaswinder Bolina. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “What breaks through the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1312: small comment by Sonia Sanchez
Today’s poem is small comment by Sonia Sanchez. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s sharp poem was written by one…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1078: Ferment by Monica Rico
Our episode today is one of many from the archives. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new poetry and reflection! Today’s poem is Ferment by Monica Rico. The…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1311: Gratitude by Patrick Dundon
Today’s poem is Gratitude by Patrick Dundon. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem puts us in touch with what…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1310: Divinity School by Ariana Reines
Today’s poem is Divinity School by Ariana Reines. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Some people visit the Caribbean and…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1309: 5 A.M. by Michael Ondaatje
Today’s poem is 5 A.M. by Michael Ondaatje. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “The nature of my youth was one in which…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1308: Mother's Rules by Yalie Saweda Kamara
Today’s poem is Mother's Rules by Yalie Saweda Kamara. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual.In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem shows how we…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily[encore] 1039: What Good Is Silence by Phuong T. Vuong
Today’s poem is What Good Is Silence by Phuong T. Vuong. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. Our episode today is one of many from the archives. We’ll be…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1307: Field Guide as Sonnet by A. D. Lauren-Abunassar
Today’s poem is Field Guide as Sonnet by A. D. Lauren-Abunassar. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem honors…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1306: Ode to the Pink Cowboy Hat by Quinn Carver Johnson
Today’s poem is Ode to the Pink Cowboy Hat by Quinn Carver Johnson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1305: An Apology for Trashing Magazines in Which You Appear by Nicole Sealey
Today’s poem is An Apology for Trashing Magazines in Which You Appear by Nicole Sealey. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. Around what has become known…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1304: Cinema Paradiso by Claire Booker
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1303: Chaplinesque by Hart Crane
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1302: One Shies at the Prospect of Raising Yet Another Defense of Cannibalism by Josh Bell
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…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1301: Jaws by Emma Hine
Today’s poem is Jaws by Emma Hine. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. Around what has become known as “awards season,” casual conversations are abuzz…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1300: Genesis by Megan Pinto
Today’s poem is Genesis by Megan Pinto. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual.In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem makes it apparent how powerful…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1299: Hello, the Roses by Mei-mei Berssenbrugge
Today’s poem is Hello, the Roses by Mei-mei Berssenbrugge. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “It is said, poets are…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1298: Earth, Earth by Cyrée Jarelle Johnson
Today’s poem is Earth, Earth by Cyrée Jarelle Johnson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Lately, I have upped my…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1297: Jamboree, Evening, Midsummer by Austin Araujo
Today’s poem is Jamboree, Evening, Midsummer by Austin Araujo. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I have borne witness…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1296: In Which I Become (Skywoman) by Kenzie Allen
Today’s poem is In Which I Become (Skywoman) by Kenzie Allen.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s beautiful…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1295: Wind Ode by Sharon Olds
Today’s poem is Wind Ode by Sharon Olds. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes… “Today’s poem is an ode, a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1294: White Peonies by Reginald Dwayne Betts
Today’s poem is White Peonies by Reginald Dwayne Betts. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes… “When I’m on…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1293: Washing the Elephant by Barbara Ras
Today’s poem is Washing the Elephant by Barbara Ras. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes… “Today’s poem…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1292: Rabbitbrush by Molly McCully Brown
Today’s poem is Rabbitbrush by Molly McCully Brown. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes… “One of the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1291: Our Bodies by Michael Bazzett
Today’s poem is Our Bodies by Michael Bazzett. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes… “I grew up…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1290: Statement of Teaching Philosophy by Keith Leonard
Today’s poem is Statement of Teaching Philosophy by Keith Leonard. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes……
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1289: Things I Want to Tell You About California by Barbara Costas-Biggs
Today’s poem is Things I Want to Tell You About California by Barbara Costas-Biggs. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1288: A Drink in the Night by Deborah Garrison
Today’s poem is A Drink in the Night by Deborah Garrison. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes… “Today’s…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1287: Astronomers Locate a New Planet by Matthew Olzmann
Today’s poem is Astronomers Locate a New Planet by Matthew Olzmann. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes……
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1286: Reasons to Live by Ruth Awad
Today’s poem is Reasons to Live by Ruth Awad. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Maggie Smith writes… “I know hope can be a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1285: It Too Remains by Glyn Maxwell
Today’s poem is It Too Remains by Glyn Maxwell. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Though spoken to a single person…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1284: When You Rise from the Dead I Drive You to the After Party by Melissa Studdard
Today’s poem is When You Rise from the Dead I Drive You to the After Party by Melissa Studdard. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1283: A Sword Shall Pierce Your Heart by Pádraig Ó Tuama
Today’s poem is A Sword Shall Pierce Your Heart by Pádraig Ó Tuama. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I think my group…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1282: Third Week of Ramadan by Sahar Romani
Today’s poem is Third Week of Ramadan by Sahar Romani. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem banishes any…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1281: I Want to Die by Tariq Luthun
Today’s poem is I Want to Die by Tariq Luthun. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Dining at a new restaurant, me and a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1280: If by Imtiaz Dharker
Today’s poem is If by Imtiaz Dharker. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… "Today’s poem encourages us to be aware of each…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1279: Ode to My Mama and “The Purple Dress,” circa 1992-1993 by Brittany Rogers
Today’s poem is Ode to My Mama and “The Purple Dress,” circa 1992-1993 by Brittany Rogers. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1278: things people like to share: by Nuar Alsadir
Today’s poem is things people like to share: by Nuar Alsadir.The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s whimsical poem…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1277: Self-Portrait as Kendrick Lamar, Laughing to the Bank by Ashanti Anderson
Today’s poem is Self-Portrait as Kendrick Lamar, Laughing to the Bank by Ashanti Anderson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1276: To Be Longing by Elizabeth Willis
Today’s poem is To Be Longing by Elizabeth Willis. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… "Today’s poem explores the…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1275: Love Language by Angela Narciso Torres
Today’s poem is Love Language by Angela Narciso Torres. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Why do we need to know how…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1274: Ennui by Luis G. Dato
Today’s poem is Ennui by Luis G. Dato. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem critiques the relentless, psychic…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1273: Sorrow Ghazal by Mary Elder Jacobsen
Today’s poem is Sorrow Ghazal by Mary Elder Jacobsen. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem is a loving…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1272: The Paper Nautilus by Marianne Moore
Today’s poem is The Paper Nautilus by Marianne Moore. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Treat poetry like a…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1271: Refuge by Nehassaiu deGannes
Today’s poem is Refuge by Nehassaiu deGannes. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s formally rich poem positions…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1270: The Gift to Sing by James Weldon Johnson
Today’s poem is The Gift to Sing by James Weldon Johnson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “For those of us who want to…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1269: Grace by Orlando Ricardo Menes
Today’s poem is Grace by Orlando Ricardo Menes. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I believe in grace, which arrives…
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily1268: The Pacific by Jennifer Jean
Today’s poem is The Pacific by Jennifer Jean. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “What I appreciate in today’s poem is…