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The Slowdown
@slowdownshow.org
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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.
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“While we don’t have access to the answers, this poem is a beautiful place for the questions to live," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1393 of The Slowdown.

Read “The Night Where You No Longer Live" by @meghanor.bsky.social: bit.ly/4qSoA6s

📖: @wwnorton.com
A text graphic featuring a portion of Meghan O'Rourke's poem, which you can listen to in full at the link in the post.
November 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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“Sometimes I prefer to engage with art — to listen to a record or see a film — without expectations," host Maggie Smith (@maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social) shares in episode number 1392 of The Slowdown.

Read “Local Mission" by Kai Carlson-Wee and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/47QaRVl
A graphic featuring a portion of Kai Carlson-Wee's poem. It reads: in early July (maybe the exact same street corner) looking at maple leaves catching the rain, I will see only pity and lichen-shades, barely-there shadows that fall to the street, and the light will be too far away to remember, and the words will be drizzle and maple and green, and before I know it the language will not let me leave it–– the traffic will pass as it always has passed: dependably, rumbling west of the bridge.
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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“Today’s poem is one I’ve carried around in my mind for years, one whose language I flash to instinctively when I see a flock of birds," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1391.

Read "Never-ending Birds" by David Baker (@davidbakerpoet.bsky.social): bit.ly/4ouhPWU

📖: @wwnorton.com
Graphic featuring a portion of David Baker's poem. It reads: That's us pointing with our delible whorls into the faraway, the true-born blue- white unfeathering cloud of another year. Another sheet of their never ending. Photograph of poet David Baker. He's wearing a black collared shirt and round-rimmed glasses.
November 7, 2025 at 7:36 PM
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“There is power in naming, as today’s poem reminds us," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1390 of The Slowdown. "Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Nor should you."

Read “The Poem Climbs the Scaffold and Tells You What It Sees" by @natashaoladokun.bsky.social: bit.ly/49At8by
A quote graphic featuring a portion of Natasha Oladokun's poem. It reads: decked in black from scalp to heel scythe in hand ready and eager to meet yourself pounding at your own door for all the talk you keep hearing these days about the need for gallows humor you have to wonder who is putting what or whom on the scaffold as you drive Old Lynchburg Road so curved and steep you cannot see the faint parting of light lying beyond it A photograph of poet Natasha Oladokun. She has long, dark curly hair, tattoos, and is wearing a flannel shirt.
November 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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“Today’s poem introduced me to a new word for longing or yearning — and it showed me a way to use that expansive desire as a frame for the magic of everyday life," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in today's episode.

Read “Sehnsucht" by @michaeldumanis.bsky.social: bit.ly/47Y85hR
A text graphic featuring a portion of Michael Dumanis' poem. It reads: My daughter is swan. Is crab grass run riot. Meanwhile, I am becoming unrecognizable to everyone except myself, and it does not matter: before it is time to resemble no one I have had the mixed fortune to resemble most things. My shadow lingers in the corner of the photo of the painting. I may not know more than a bedraggled llama craning its neck past the impregnable fence. Still, I participated in the world.
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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“Today’s poem unexpectedly merges the playfulness of anagrams with the gravitas of a terminal diagnosis — the weight of reckoning with the end of one’s life," @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1388.

Read “When I learn Catastrophically " by the late Martha Silano: bit.ly/43SNIA9
A text graphic featuring a portion of the poem "When I learn Catastrophically," written by the late Martha Silano. It reads: The sky does all sorts of marvelously uncatastrophic things that winter I shimmy between science & song, between widgeons & windows, weather & its invitation to walk. Walking, which becomes my lose less, my less morsels, my lose smile while more sore looms. Sometimes I wander for hours, my mile pace over half an hour, everyone passing the lady at dusk talking to herself about looming rooms, soil lies, ire & else. Chuckling about my mileage gone down the toilet, I plant the rose of before, the oil of after. A photograph of the late poet Martha Silano. She is a middle-aged woman with long, wavy brown-grey hair and clear-rimmed glasses. She is photographed outside, with leaves/trees behind her.
November 4, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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“It can be so hard to accept help from others, especially if you pride yourself on being self-sufficient," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1387 of The Slowdown.

Read “Different Kinds of Sadness" by @jennymolberg.bsky.social and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/4oIADBE
A text graphic featuring a portion of Jenny Molberg's poem. A photograph of poet Jenny Molberg. She has long dark blonde hair and is standing in front of a textured wall. Her hair is covering her face.
November 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM
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"Today’s poem has been a favorite of mine for years, and it seemed like the right choice for Halloween," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in today's episode.

Read "Night of the Living, Night of the Dead" by Kim Addonizio and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/47iJbcx
a graphic featuring a portion of Kim Addonizio's poem: The living have plans: to get to the pickup parked in the yard, to drive like hell to the next town. The dead with their leaky brains, their dangling limbs and ruptured hearts, are sick of all that. They’d rather stumble blind through the field until they collide with a tree, or fall through a doorway like they’re the door itself, sprung from its hinges and slammed flat on the linoleum. a photograph of poet Kim Addonizio. She has short, brown, wavy hair and is leaning up against a tree.
October 31, 2025 at 6:23 PM
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"Today’s poem is by one of my favorite poets," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1385. "Stan understood the double bind of deep solitude: that for the poet, for the artist, it’s as lonely as it is necessary."

Read "At Night" by Stanley Plumly: bit.ly/3WvzWQ4
Photo and text graphic featuring a portion of Stanley Plumly's poem "At Night"
October 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
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We're looking for a new production intern! If you ...

- love the art of podcast storytelling
- are passionate about creating audio that resonates with diverse audiences
- have an eye for creating impactful content

... we encourage you to apply!

Learn more: bit.ly/4nPafpK
a photograph of Maggie Smith, host of The Slowdown, accompanied by text that reads: "Apply Now! Podcast Production Intern"
October 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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"Children are so talented at asking unanswerable questions. Questions that cut you to the quick," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1384.

Read "I do not mention the war in my birthplace to my six-year-old son but somehow his body knows" by Julia Kolchinsky: bit.ly/48Yk4Nz
October 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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"This poem has me thinking more and more about chance, and about our circumstances," shares host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in today's episode of The Slowdown.

Read "The Situation in Our City" by Ciona Rouse @cionarouse.bsky.social and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/3Lh50R3
photo and text graphic featuring a portion of Ciona Rouse's poem "The Situation in Our City"
October 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
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“Today’s poem brought me right back to being a young girl with a beloved doll," shares host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in episode 1382. "Back then, it would have been unbearable to be separated."

Read “Lamb" by Richie Hofmann and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/43FoFR0

📸: Ryan Hagerty
A graphic featuring a portion of Richie Hofmann's poem, "Lamb": At the train stations, all the grown-ups would say, be mindful of your things, little boy, someone will steal right out of your pocket or take the watch off your wrist. My dad had a beautiful overcoat. A photograph of poet Richie Hofmann. He is a white man wearing a white button-up shirt and standing in front of a field of grasses.
October 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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“Stories themselves are like seeds in our lives; so much can grow from them," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in episode 1380 of The Slowdown.

Read "Like Apple from Seed" by Molly Johnsen and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/43pkHMd

📖: @greenwriterspress.bsky.social
text and photo graphic featuring a snippet from Molly Johnsen's poem photograph of poet Molly Johnsen
October 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
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“Today’s poem is as imagistic and musical as a song, and it’s deeply rooted in place," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social says in episode 1379 of The Slowdown. "The poem borrows a refrain from a Lucinda Williams song."

Read "Arkansabop" by @elizabethlinds.bsky.social: bit.ly/4n7J5ZW
graphic featuring a portion of Elizabeth Lindsey Rogers' poem "Arkansabop" photograph of poet Elizabeth Lindsey Rogers
October 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
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“Today’s poem recounts a story of women outsmarting immigration officials who raid their factory, thanks to 'dios del chisme,' meaning 'the god of gossip,'" host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in today's episode.

Read "poem where no one is deported" by @joseolivarez.bsky.social: bit.ly/4hiRk44
graphic featuring a portion of Jose Olivarez's poem photograph of poet Jose Olivarez
October 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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“There were times when mothering felt overwhelming," shares host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in episode 1377 of The Slowdown. "Now, I always want more of them. It’s funny how that works, isn’t it?"

Read “The Crux" by @meganpeak.bsky.social and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/47i2L7o
Graphic featuring a portion of Megan Peak’s poem Photograph of poet Megan Peak
October 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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“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 episode 1376.

Read “Laura, I Want You Pulling Your Hair Back" by Natalie Dunn: bit.ly/4nWVIbC
graphic featuring a portion of Natalie Dunn's poem photograph of poet Natalie Dunn
October 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
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"Today’s poem is so relatable, because the speaker is doing what I so often do: watching videos on the internet in the middle of the night," says host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in episode 1375.

Read “Dear Absent," by @poetmarcuswicker.bsky.social and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/4nUopG3
graphic featuring a portion of Marcus Wicker's poem photograph of poet Marcus Wicker
October 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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“When I got divorced, I remember the mixed feelings," says host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in episode 1374. "The future is unwritten, and we get to decide what the story will be. We get to choose what comes next."

Read “The Terror of New Love!" by Tiana Clark: bit.ly/4n9JuuJ
October 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
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"I admire the way we’re invited into the speaker’s consciousness, to see her mind at work," says host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in today's episode.

Read “Protection Spell Jar" by @cynthiamhoffman.bsky.social and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/3J9U8Uw

📖: Persea Books
A graphic featuring a portion of Cynthia Marie Hoffman's poem A photo of poet Cynthia Marie Hoffman
October 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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“I know we often think of our intelligence as being related to our brains ... But the body has its own intelligence," says host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in episode 1372 of The Slowdown.

Read “My Body Knows Its Limits" by @pagestar.bsky.social: bit.ly/3L7PiYl
graphic featuring a portion of Page Hill Starzinger's poem photo of poet Page Hill Starzinger
October 13, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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“The future is full of possibility. Some of life’s surprises are heartbreaking, yes—but some are heart-repairing," shares host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in today’s episode.

Read "At Last the New Arriving" by @gabbat.bsky.social and our full episode transcript: bit.ly/4mShV9s

📖: Persea Books
graphic featuring a portion of Gabrielle Calvocoressi's poem a photograph of poet Gabrielle Calvocoressi
October 10, 2025 at 10:59 PM
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“Today’s poem is a poem that inspires me to ask better questions about the world, and about the soul, and about the idea of God," shares @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in today’s episode.

Read "Soot" by Kaveh Akbar: bit.ly/4n0LAxi

📷: Charles Bakofsky
📖: @alicejamesbooks.bsky.social
a graphic featuring a portion of Kaveh Akbar's poem photograph of poet Kaveh Akbar
October 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
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“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," shares @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social in today’s episode.

Read "Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes" by Kathleen Driskell: bit.ly/3KA11ii
October 8, 2025 at 8:07 PM