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] 990: Feeding the Koi

Today’s poem is Feeding the Koi by Rosanna Young Oh. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. We’re taking a break this week, so we’re running some of our...

[encore] 966: Love Poem, with Birds

Today’s poem is Love Poem, with Birds by Barbara Kingsolver. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re revisiting some of our...

[encore] 955: Love Sits by My Father

Today’s poem is Love Sits by My Father by Qutouf Elobaid. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re revisiting some of...

[encore] 807: Short Essay on Love

Today’s poem is Short Essay on Love by Sarah Manguso. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re revisiting some of our...

[encore] 1003: Without Name

Today’s poem is Without Name by Pauli Murray. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes...

[encore] 917: Love and the Deli Counter

Today’s poem is Love and the Deli Counter by Jill McDonough. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re revisiting some of...

1060: Perhaps

Today’s poem is Perhaps by Wen Yiduo, translated by Arthur Sze. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem takes me to the...

1059: Love and the Moon

Today’s poem is Love and the Moon by Nan Cohen. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Sometimes, every which way we turn, the...

1058: The Dangers of Contemplation

Today’s poem is The Dangers of Contemplation by Ron Slate. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Every poem is a map, a transcription...

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