The Slowdown

Hosted ByTracy K. Smith

Every weekday, Tracy K. Smith delivers a different way to see the world – through poetry. Produced in partnership with the Poetry Foundation and supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.


All Episodes

1324: 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. Celebrate the power of...

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1323: 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 Writers...

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1322: [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 Writers...

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1321: 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 episode, Major...

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1320: 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 our rich and complicated history....

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encore [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....

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1319: 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 poem...

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1318: 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 want to abandon our...

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1317: 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 what I tell...

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