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After two years, two seasons and 443 episodes, Major Jackson is stepping down from the host chair. 


A Farewell to Major Jackson

To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.


Supported in Part by National Endowment for the Arts

Raising poetry to a more visible and influential position in American culture.


Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Announcements

1359: [encore] Lotioning My Mother’s Back by Ama Codjoe

Today’s poem is Lotioning My Mother’s Back by Ama Codjoe.


Today’s poem is Lotioning My Mother’s Back by Ama Codjoe. 

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “The world feels like a hard place right now—a not very soft and tender place. In times that feel difficult, it’s tempting to retreat, to harden ourselves, to “numb out.” But I think, more and more, that tenderness is what we need—toward one another, and toward ourselves. We need touch. We need connection. We need soft places to land. We need to hold on to one another.” 

This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate


The Slowdown

[encore] 1501: at the baggage claim in JFK by Lo Naylor

Today’s poem is at the baggage claim in JFK by Lo Naylor. 


Today’s poem is at the baggage claim in JFK by Lo Naylor.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “When I’m preparing for a multi-city book tour, I’m not nervous about reading in front of people or answering questions or finding my way around a strange place. I’m nervous about getting where I’m going. And with somewhat regular government shutdowns impacting TSA these days, those nerves aren’t coming from nowhere!
But there are so many beautiful moments in airports, if you pay attention:  parents comforting children, or occupying them with silly games; couples excited to be going on a trip together; teams of uniformed student athletes traveling to, or from, a big game.” 
This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate 


[encore] 1445: Hackberry by Cecily Parks

Today’s poem is Hackberry by Cecily Parks. 


Today’s poem is Hackberry by Cecily Parks. 
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is a kind of love poem—to a beloved tree, and to the sense of home it created.” 
This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate 


The Slowdown

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1359: [encore] Lotioning My Mother’s Back by Ama Codjoe

[encore] 1501: at the baggage claim in JFK by Lo Naylor

[encore] 1445: Hackberry by Cecily Parks

Announcements

A Farewell to Major Jackson

Supported in Part by National Endowment for the Arts

Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Other APM Podcasts

Truth Be Told

Ripple

The Splendid Table

The Slowdown

Latest Episode

Recent Episodes

1359: [encore] Lotioning My Mother’s Back by Ama Codjoe

[encore] 1501: at the baggage claim in JFK by Lo Naylor

[encore] 1445: Hackberry by Cecily Parks

Get a poem handpicked by Maggie Smith every weekday. The email includes an abridged version of Maggie’s introduction.

Announcements

A Farewell to Major Jackson

Supported in Part by National Endowment for the Arts

Produced in Partnership With the Poetry Foundation

Other APM Podcasts

Truth Be Told

Ripple

The Splendid Table