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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] 1507: How to Dress a Star by Nicholas Goodly

Today’s poem is How to Dress a Star by Nicholas Goodly.


Today’s poem is How to Dress a Star by Nicholas Goodly.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem reminds me to feel tenderness toward the earlier versions of me. It reminds me that we should acknowledge our past selves more. Just think of what earlier versions of you were able to endure. Bless them for that.” 
This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate



The Slowdown

[encore] 1347: Animal Prudence by Kathy Fagan

Today’s poem is Animal Prudence by Kathy Fagan. 


Today’s poem is Animal Prudence by Kathy Fagan. 
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem is a favorite of mine for its associative leaps—the way it carries us from image to image, memory to memory. I admire the way it uses the language we encounter in our lives to make those leaps: road signs, the names of streets and flowers, the lists we find in our pockets.” 
This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation today. Slowdownshow.org/donate


[encore] 1336: I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson

Today’s poem is I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson.


Today’s poem is I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson. This episode was originally released on August 22, 2025. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “One thing I love about poems is how they give us the opportunity to take our time, to dial in, to look and listen closely. Not everything screams to be noticed. Some things barely whisper! Or they might just squawk or coo now and then.” 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] 1507: How to Dress a Star by Nicholas Goodly

[encore] 1347: Animal Prudence by Kathy Fagan

[encore] 1336: I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson

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] 1507: How to Dress a Star by Nicholas Goodly

[encore] 1347: Animal Prudence by Kathy Fagan

[encore] 1336: I Find Myself Defending Pigeons by Keith S. Wilson

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