The Slowdown
@slowdownshow.org
Maggie Smith delivers a different way to see the world – through poetry. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Sign up for our daily poem newsletter --> bit.ly/3AWdEMl
Produced in partnership with the Poetry Foundation.
Produced in partnership with the Poetry Foundation.
Poetry teaches us to pay attention — to ourselves, to each other and to what we might otherwise hurry past. The Slowdown offers that daily pause ... those few minutes to settle, breathe, and reconnect with what matters. You can help support our work by making a year-end gift: bit.ly/44Ew6Zr
December 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Poetry teaches us to pay attention — to ourselves, to each other and to what we might otherwise hurry past. The Slowdown offers that daily pause ... those few minutes to settle, breathe, and reconnect with what matters. You can help support our work by making a year-end gift: bit.ly/44Ew6Zr
Stay warm this winter with a POETRY Magazine subscription! For just $39, you'll get ...
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
Learn more and sign up at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
Learn more and sign up at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
December 26, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Stay warm this winter with a POETRY Magazine subscription! For just $39, you'll get ...
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
Learn more and sign up at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
Learn more and sign up at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
Reposted by The Slowdown
Today's episode of @slowdownshow.org features a poem from Melissa Ginsburg's collection "Doll Apollo," which we published in 2022! bit.ly/dollapollo
"Today’s poem moves quietly and deliberately, the way a cautious deer might walk from the shelter of the woods into a clearing," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shared in today's episode.
Read "Whitetail in the Rain Moving About" by Melissa Ginsburg: bit.ly/3L6UMTB
📖: @lsupress.bsky.social
Read "Whitetail in the Rain Moving About" by Melissa Ginsburg: bit.ly/3L6UMTB
📖: @lsupress.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Today's episode of @slowdownshow.org features a poem from Melissa Ginsburg's collection "Doll Apollo," which we published in 2022! bit.ly/dollapollo
"In 1994 I was seventeen: my daughter’s age! I remember that as a time when I was trying to figure out who I was," Maggie shares in episode 1421. "But to some degree we’re always trying to figure that out, aren’t we?"
Read "My 1994" by Stephanie Burt: bit.ly/44FZ4Ik
📖: @graywolfpress.bsky.social
Read "My 1994" by Stephanie Burt: bit.ly/44FZ4Ik
📖: @graywolfpress.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
"In 1994 I was seventeen: my daughter’s age! I remember that as a time when I was trying to figure out who I was," Maggie shares in episode 1421. "But to some degree we’re always trying to figure that out, aren’t we?"
Read "My 1994" by Stephanie Burt: bit.ly/44FZ4Ik
📖: @graywolfpress.bsky.social
Read "My 1994" by Stephanie Burt: bit.ly/44FZ4Ik
📖: @graywolfpress.bsky.social
"Today’s poem is fairly compact in its form—the way it looks on the page—but it’s so full of distance. And where there’s distance, there’s longing," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1420.
Read "Losing the Band" by Ashley D. Escobar: bit.ly/3YdE0oW
Read "Losing the Band" by Ashley D. Escobar: bit.ly/3YdE0oW
December 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"Today’s poem is fairly compact in its form—the way it looks on the page—but it’s so full of distance. And where there’s distance, there’s longing," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1420.
Read "Losing the Band" by Ashley D. Escobar: bit.ly/3YdE0oW
Read "Losing the Band" by Ashley D. Escobar: bit.ly/3YdE0oW
"Today’s poem begins with a little advice that made me smile because of its sauciness, and the poem unfolds into such a rich, detailed portrait," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1419.
Read "Ladies' Arm Wrestling Match at the Blue Moon Diner" by Jenny Johnson: bit.ly/4b0XQv5
Read "Ladies' Arm Wrestling Match at the Blue Moon Diner" by Jenny Johnson: bit.ly/4b0XQv5
December 24, 2025 at 9:07 PM
"Today’s poem begins with a little advice that made me smile because of its sauciness, and the poem unfolds into such a rich, detailed portrait," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1419.
Read "Ladies' Arm Wrestling Match at the Blue Moon Diner" by Jenny Johnson: bit.ly/4b0XQv5
Read "Ladies' Arm Wrestling Match at the Blue Moon Diner" by Jenny Johnson: bit.ly/4b0XQv5
"Today’s poem moves quietly and deliberately, the way a cautious deer might walk from the shelter of the woods into a clearing," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shared in today's episode.
Read "Whitetail in the Rain Moving About" by Melissa Ginsburg: bit.ly/3L6UMTB
📖: @lsupress.bsky.social
Read "Whitetail in the Rain Moving About" by Melissa Ginsburg: bit.ly/3L6UMTB
📖: @lsupress.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
"Today’s poem moves quietly and deliberately, the way a cautious deer might walk from the shelter of the woods into a clearing," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shared in today's episode.
Read "Whitetail in the Rain Moving About" by Melissa Ginsburg: bit.ly/3L6UMTB
📖: @lsupress.bsky.social
Read "Whitetail in the Rain Moving About" by Melissa Ginsburg: bit.ly/3L6UMTB
📖: @lsupress.bsky.social
Give a gift that lasts the whole year! New subscribers to POETRY Magazine receive 10 print volumes, immediate digital access, and a limited-edition tote bag (while supplies last). It's the perfect way to spend a cozy winter morning indoors. Visit poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25 for more info!
December 22, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Give a gift that lasts the whole year! New subscribers to POETRY Magazine receive 10 print volumes, immediate digital access, and a limited-edition tote bag (while supplies last). It's the perfect way to spend a cozy winter morning indoors. Visit poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25 for more info!
"Today’s poem is a testament to a mother’s love and courage and fierce protection," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1417 of The Slowdown.
Read "My Mother's Love" by James Allen Hall -- from NOW YOU'RE THE ENEMY @uarkpress.bsky.social -- and our episode transcript: bit.ly/49n8lGX
Read "My Mother's Love" by James Allen Hall -- from NOW YOU'RE THE ENEMY @uarkpress.bsky.social -- and our episode transcript: bit.ly/49n8lGX
December 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"Today’s poem is a testament to a mother’s love and courage and fierce protection," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1417 of The Slowdown.
Read "My Mother's Love" by James Allen Hall -- from NOW YOU'RE THE ENEMY @uarkpress.bsky.social -- and our episode transcript: bit.ly/49n8lGX
Read "My Mother's Love" by James Allen Hall -- from NOW YOU'RE THE ENEMY @uarkpress.bsky.social -- and our episode transcript: bit.ly/49n8lGX
Public media and the arts are facing serious funding challenges, but the power of poetry endures in the voices we share — voices YOU help amplify. 🖤 Your year-end gift makes it possible for us to celebrate diverse perspectives and foster a community connected through the spoken word! bit.ly/44Ew6Zr
December 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Public media and the arts are facing serious funding challenges, but the power of poetry endures in the voices we share — voices YOU help amplify. 🖤 Your year-end gift makes it possible for us to celebrate diverse perspectives and foster a community connected through the spoken word! bit.ly/44Ew6Zr
We've got POETRY Magazine to keep you warm this winter. ❄️ Listeners of The Slowdown receive 10 beautiful print editions, unlimited digital access, and a subscriber-only tote while supplies last. Visit poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25 to sign up!
December 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
We've got POETRY Magazine to keep you warm this winter. ❄️ Listeners of The Slowdown receive 10 beautiful print editions, unlimited digital access, and a subscriber-only tote while supplies last. Visit poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25 to sign up!
"Today’s poem draws on the language of fairy tales and the strange, sometimes inexplicable things that happen in these stories," Maggie shares in episode 1416.
Read “Nursery” by Kiki Petrosino — from WITCH WIFE — and our episode transcript: bit.ly/4pMCwy4
📖: @sarabandebooks.bsky.social
Read “Nursery” by Kiki Petrosino — from WITCH WIFE — and our episode transcript: bit.ly/4pMCwy4
📖: @sarabandebooks.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
"Today’s poem draws on the language of fairy tales and the strange, sometimes inexplicable things that happen in these stories," Maggie shares in episode 1416.
Read “Nursery” by Kiki Petrosino — from WITCH WIFE — and our episode transcript: bit.ly/4pMCwy4
📖: @sarabandebooks.bsky.social
Read “Nursery” by Kiki Petrosino — from WITCH WIFE — and our episode transcript: bit.ly/4pMCwy4
📖: @sarabandebooks.bsky.social
"Today’s poem has me thinking about evolution and natural selection in a different way," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in today's episode. "It has me thinking about our survival."
Read “Elephants Born Without Tusks" by Alison C. Rollins: bit.ly/4s6u5PU
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
Read “Elephants Born Without Tusks" by Alison C. Rollins: bit.ly/4s6u5PU
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
"Today’s poem has me thinking about evolution and natural selection in a different way," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in today's episode. "It has me thinking about our survival."
Read “Elephants Born Without Tusks" by Alison C. Rollins: bit.ly/4s6u5PU
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
Read “Elephants Born Without Tusks" by Alison C. Rollins: bit.ly/4s6u5PU
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
Poetry is the gift that lasts all year! Subscribe to POETRY Magazine for $39 and receive:
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
❄️ a great reason to stay inside
Learn more at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
❄️ a great reason to stay inside
Learn more at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
December 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Poetry is the gift that lasts all year! Subscribe to POETRY Magazine for $39 and receive:
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
❄️ a great reason to stay inside
Learn more at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
❄️ 10 print volumes
❄️ immediate digital access
❄️ subscriber-only tote bag
❄️ a great reason to stay inside
Learn more at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25!
"Today’s poem is one about parents and children, bedtime fears, and the ways we communicate love and safety," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1414.
Read "This dark is the same dark as when you close" by @caesura.bsky.social: bit.ly/4oXwTf4
📖: @alicejamesbooks.bsky.social
Read "This dark is the same dark as when you close" by @caesura.bsky.social: bit.ly/4oXwTf4
📖: @alicejamesbooks.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
"Today’s poem is one about parents and children, bedtime fears, and the ways we communicate love and safety," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1414.
Read "This dark is the same dark as when you close" by @caesura.bsky.social: bit.ly/4oXwTf4
📖: @alicejamesbooks.bsky.social
Read "This dark is the same dark as when you close" by @caesura.bsky.social: bit.ly/4oXwTf4
📖: @alicejamesbooks.bsky.social
"Today’s poem articulates grief in a way I admire so deeply," host Maggie Smith shares in today's episode of The Slowdown, number 1413.
Read “On Proliferation” by @cassdonish.bsky.social — from their book YOUR DAZZLING DEATH — and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/3YweJGB
Read “On Proliferation” by @cassdonish.bsky.social — from their book YOUR DAZZLING DEATH — and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/3YweJGB
December 16, 2025 at 11:48 PM
"Today’s poem articulates grief in a way I admire so deeply," host Maggie Smith shares in today's episode of The Slowdown, number 1413.
Read “On Proliferation” by @cassdonish.bsky.social — from their book YOUR DAZZLING DEATH — and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/3YweJGB
Read “On Proliferation” by @cassdonish.bsky.social — from their book YOUR DAZZLING DEATH — and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/3YweJGB
Reposted by The Slowdown
"This poet does speak to the precarity of it all: writing, and loving, and living," our host Maggie Smith shares in today's episode of The Slowdown, number 1412.
Read "Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story)" by @amorak.bsky.social: bit.ly/4aQfUrK
Read "Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story)" by @amorak.bsky.social: bit.ly/4aQfUrK
December 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
"This poet does speak to the precarity of it all: writing, and loving, and living," our host Maggie Smith shares in today's episode of The Slowdown, number 1412.
Read "Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story)" by @amorak.bsky.social: bit.ly/4aQfUrK
Read "Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story)" by @amorak.bsky.social: bit.ly/4aQfUrK
December 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"This poet does speak to the precarity of it all: writing, and loving, and living," our host Maggie Smith shares in today's episode of The Slowdown, number 1412.
Read "Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story)" by @amorak.bsky.social: bit.ly/4aQfUrK
Read "Ledge (ars poetica) (love poem) (true story)" by @amorak.bsky.social: bit.ly/4aQfUrK
Get cozy with POETRY Magazine this winter! Listeners of The Slowdown receive 10 beautiful print editions, unlimited digital access, and an exclusive tote bag while supplies last. Learn more at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25.
December 15, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Get cozy with POETRY Magazine this winter! Listeners of The Slowdown receive 10 beautiful print editions, unlimited digital access, and an exclusive tote bag while supplies last. Learn more at poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25.
“A big part of loving someone, whether they’re a friend or a family member or someone you’re romantically involved with, is embracing them exactly as they are," says @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in this encore episode.
Read “Laura, I Want You Pulling Your Hair Back" by Natalie Dunn: bit.ly/4adTuk6
Read “Laura, I Want You Pulling Your Hair Back" by Natalie Dunn: bit.ly/4adTuk6
December 12, 2025 at 10:08 PM
“A big part of loving someone, whether they’re a friend or a family member or someone you’re romantically involved with, is embracing them exactly as they are," says @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in this encore episode.
Read “Laura, I Want You Pulling Your Hair Back" by Natalie Dunn: bit.ly/4adTuk6
Read “Laura, I Want You Pulling Your Hair Back" by Natalie Dunn: bit.ly/4adTuk6
“Today’s poem looks at the word migrant and its meaning apart from the current political climate," shares host Maggie Smith in today’s encore episode.
Read “/’mīgrent/” by Tiana Nobile: bit.ly/4iVCRfg
📖: @hubcitypress.bsky.social
Read “/’mīgrent/” by Tiana Nobile: bit.ly/4iVCRfg
📖: @hubcitypress.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
“Today’s poem looks at the word migrant and its meaning apart from the current political climate," shares host Maggie Smith in today’s encore episode.
Read “/’mīgrent/” by Tiana Nobile: bit.ly/4iVCRfg
📖: @hubcitypress.bsky.social
Read “/’mīgrent/” by Tiana Nobile: bit.ly/4iVCRfg
📖: @hubcitypress.bsky.social
“The next time I’m asked if writing is therapy, I may just respond by reading today’s poem," shares host Maggie Smith in today’s encore episode.
Read "Do You Consider Writing to be Therapeutic?" by @andypgrace.bsky.social: bit.ly/3KDSCea
Read "Do You Consider Writing to be Therapeutic?" by @andypgrace.bsky.social: bit.ly/3KDSCea
December 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
“The next time I’m asked if writing is therapy, I may just respond by reading today’s poem," shares host Maggie Smith in today’s encore episode.
Read "Do You Consider Writing to be Therapeutic?" by @andypgrace.bsky.social: bit.ly/3KDSCea
Read "Do You Consider Writing to be Therapeutic?" by @andypgrace.bsky.social: bit.ly/3KDSCea
“Maybe the ultimate self care is learning to give yourself the respect, the tenderness, and the grace you extend to others,” shares Maggie Smith in today’s encore episode.
Read “Tea” by Leila Chatti: bit.ly/4pVvxSW
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
Read “Tea” by Leila Chatti: bit.ly/4pVvxSW
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
“Maybe the ultimate self care is learning to give yourself the respect, the tenderness, and the grace you extend to others,” shares Maggie Smith in today’s encore episode.
Read “Tea” by Leila Chatti: bit.ly/4pVvxSW
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
Read “Tea” by Leila Chatti: bit.ly/4pVvxSW
📖: @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
“Today’s poem speaks to me because, at its heart, is a deep curiosity about the world — a desire to know more and more," shares host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in today’s encore episode.
Read "Hiking Moraine State Park" by Violeta Garcia-Mendoza: bit.ly/3MnJf2G
Read "Hiking Moraine State Park" by Violeta Garcia-Mendoza: bit.ly/3MnJf2G
December 8, 2025 at 5:55 PM
“Today’s poem speaks to me because, at its heart, is a deep curiosity about the world — a desire to know more and more," shares host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in today’s encore episode.
Read "Hiking Moraine State Park" by Violeta Garcia-Mendoza: bit.ly/3MnJf2G
Read "Hiking Moraine State Park" by Violeta Garcia-Mendoza: bit.ly/3MnJf2G
"Today’s poem uses metaphor so skillfully, so surprisingly. I think once you hear the end, you’ll want to listen one more time to feel it click again," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1411 of The Slowdown.
Read "Amalgam" by Rebecca Foust: bit.ly/4auvcCe
Read "Amalgam" by Rebecca Foust: bit.ly/4auvcCe
December 5, 2025 at 7:47 PM
"Today’s poem uses metaphor so skillfully, so surprisingly. I think once you hear the end, you’ll want to listen one more time to feel it click again," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1411 of The Slowdown.
Read "Amalgam" by Rebecca Foust: bit.ly/4auvcCe
Read "Amalgam" by Rebecca Foust: bit.ly/4auvcCe