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

1057: Facebook Status

Today’s poem is Facebook Status by Adrian Blevins. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “It is human to be curious about each other’s...

1056: Ghazal for Mothers & Tongues

Today’s poem is Ghazal for Mothers & Tongues by Sahar Muradi. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s fine poem is gorgeous for...

1055: Dancing at The Get Down by Cat Wei

Today’s poem is Dancing at The Get Down by Cat Wei. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Recently, my seventy-three-year-old father called to...

1054: Hunger

Today’s poem is Hunger by Ryler Dustin. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem reveals how our appetites take us beyond considerations...

1053: Why Write Love Poetry in a Burning World

Today’s poem is Why Write Love Poetry in a Burning World by Katie Farris. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Art is unequivocal...

1052: Body’s Ken

Today’s poem is Body’s Ken by Simon West. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Poets thrive in that energy between knowing and not...

1051: Venus’s Flytraps

Today’s poem is Venus’s Flytraps by Yusef Komunyakaa. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Some poems have a hold on us, their lines...

1050: To The Woman Crying Uncontrollably in the Next Stall

Today’s poem is To The Woman Crying Uncontrollably in the Next Stall by Kim Addonizio. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. This week, we’re sharing listener stories from...

1049: [I wandered lonely as a Cloud] or Daffodils

Today’s poem is [I wandered lonely as a Cloud] or Daffodils by William Wordsworth. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. This week, we’re sharing listener stories from the...

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