Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
Episode: 1258: The Trees by Jericho Brown
Release Date: December 11, 2024
Host: Major Jackson

Introduction

In episode 1258 of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, hosted by Major Jackson and produced by American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation, the focus centers on the poem "The Trees" by Jericho Brown. This episode delves into Major Jackson's personal relationship with nature, exploring how poetry serves as a conduit for reflection and understanding of our shared human experiences.

Personal Anecdote: An Invitation to Nature

The episode opens with Major Jackson recounting a personal encounter that underscores the theme of connecting with nature:

At 00:10, Major Jackson shares, “I invited a friend out of town to join me on a hike. I was going on the Long Trail in Warren, Vermont. I live in a forest.”

He narrates the skepticism of his friend from the Bronx regarding nature walks:

At 00:25, his friend responds, “You do know I'm from the Bronx? We don't do nature.”

Despite the initial dismissal—citing reasons like mosquitoes, spiders, and discomfort around strangers—the conversation takes a meaningful turn when his friend inquires:

At 00:55, he asks, “Why do you love the outdoors?”

This question resonates deeply with Major Jackson, evoking memories of similar interrogations about his passion for nature, such as at a party:

At 01:15, he recalls, “When he learned I was traveling to watch a massive migration on the southern coast of Alabama.”

Reflection on the Emotional and Spiritual Benefits of Nature

Major Jackson reflects on the challenges of articulating his connection to nature, likening it to discussing a "personal cathedral":

At 01:45, he muses, “How do you discuss a space that is like a personal cathedral?”

Opting to convey the profound personal impact rather than clinical benefits, he describes the clarity and peace he finds in the forest:

At 02:10, he states, “I hear myself better in the forest, that my mental clutter gives way to an exceptional quiet.”

He elaborates on his sensory experiences:

At 02:30, he shares, “I love the calls and trills of warblers and rose-breasted grosbeaks, the rushing sound of a brook over stone.”

Major Jackson connects these experiences to a deeper, almost spiritual connection:

At 03:00, he expresses, “I start off sometimes in a spiritual crisis but walk out spiritually cleansed. For this reason, the natural world over the years has become my life-saving talisman.”

The Intersection of Poetry and Nature

Drawing parallels between his personal experiences and the poem of the day, Major Jackson emphasizes the appreciation for the natural world amidst the chaos of modern life:

At 04:15, he notes, “Like the speaker in today's poem, I find appreciation for any vestige of the natural world and large cities, those unexpected places that take me out of myself and land me into molecules of existence.”

Reading of "The Trees" by Jericho Brown

The core of the episode features Major Jackson reading "The Trees" by esteemed poet Jericho Brown. While the full text of the poem isn't provided in the transcript, Jackson introduces it with personal insights:

At 05:00, he begins, “The Trees by Jericho Brown in my front yard live three crape myrtles, Crying trees, we once called them, not the shadiest, but soothing during a break from work in the heat, their cool sweat falling into us.”

He reflects on the metaphorical significance of the trees:

At 05:30, Jackson shares, “I don't want to make more of it. I'd like to let these spindly things be, since my gift for transformation here proves useless now that I know everyone moves the same, whether moving in tears or moving to punch my face.”

Exploring themes of family and resilience, he further connects the poem to his personal narrative:

At 06:00, he concludes, “A crepe myrtle is a crepe myrtle. Three is a family. It is winter they are bare it's not that I love them every day it's that I love them anyway.”

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, Major Jackson reiterates the collaborative effort behind The Slowdown and encourages listeners to engage with the podcast through various platforms:

At 06:30, he states, “The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This project is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.”

Listeners are invited to subscribe and follow the podcast for daily poetic reflections:

At 07:00, he invites, “To get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter and find us on Instagram @downdownshow.”

Key Takeaways

• Connection to Nature: Major Jackson emphasizes the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of engaging with the natural world, highlighting how it serves as a sanctuary from modern life's mental clutter.

• Poetry as Reflection: The episode illustrates how poetry, exemplified by Jericho Brown's "The Trees", acts as a mirror to personal experiences and broader human emotions.

• Personal Narratives: Through sharing his own stories, Major Jackson fosters a relatable and intimate atmosphere, encouraging listeners to find solace and meaning in poetry and nature.

This episode of The Slowdown offers a poignant exploration of the interplay between nature, personal well-being, and poetic expression, inviting listeners to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in the beauty of both the natural world and the written word.