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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

[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 


The Slowdown

[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 


[encore] 1568: Panegyric by Leila Farjami

Today’s poem is Panegyric by Leila Farjami.


Today’s poem is Panegyric by Leila Farjami. 
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Poems that engage with war and grief are texts that communicate to us in ways that news articles about war, and loss, and grief cannot. An article might tell us what happened, who died, how many casualties there were. It should provide facts as to who, what, where, when, and how. It might even attempt the why. But a poem sings to us. A poem sits with us. Holds us, even.” 
This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate


The Slowdown

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

[encore] 1445: Hackberry by Cecily Parks

[encore] 1568: Panegyric by Leila Farjami

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

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

[encore] 1445: Hackberry by Cecily Parks

[encore] 1568: Panegyric by Leila Farjami

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