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

[encore] 909: My Dearest Black-Billed Streamertail

Today’s poem is My Dearest Black-Billed Streamertail by Michelle Whittaker. This episode was originally released on June 28, 2023. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode,...

[encore] 935: Happy Campus

Today’s poem is Happy Campus by Rodrigo Toscano. This episode was originally released on August 3, 2023. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes…...

[encore] 904: The Statues and Us

Today’s poem is The Statues and Us by Yannis Ritsos, translated by Martin McKinsey. This episode was originally released on June 21, 2023. The Slowdown is your daily poetry...

971: On Mars

Today’s poem is On Mars by Ariana Benson. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “I’ve come to believe our galaxy serves as a...

970: Ungendered 2

Today’s poem is Ungendered 2 by Kwame Sound Daniels. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem rightly resists labels that limit our...

969: Us

Today’s poem is Us by Zaffar Kunial. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Since moving to the quaint village of Rochester, I come...

968: The Long Goodbye

Today’s poem is The Long Goodbye by Diana Whitney. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem spotlights a multigenerational family, where the...

967: Ode to Purple Summer

Today’s poem is Ode to Purple Summer by Sabrina Benaim. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “For me, the pendulum swing that is...

[encore] 806: Polycardial

Today’s poem is Polycardial by James Hoch. This episode was originally released on February 3, 2023. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s...

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