1295: Wind Ode by Sharon Olds

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily Episode: 1295 – Wind Ode by Sharon Olds Host: Maggie Smith Release Date: February 14, 2025

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Introduction

In Episode 1295 of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, guest host Maggie Smith takes listeners on a contemplative journey through personal reflection and poetic appreciation. Taking over from regular host Major Jackson for this episode, Smith shares her insights on processing stress and the therapeutic effects of physical activity, setting the stage for a profound exploration of Sharon Olds' poem, Wind Ode.

Personal Reflections on Stress and Healing

Maggie Smith begins by recounting a pivotal moment from her past, where her therapist imparted crucial advice during a period of intense grief and stress:

“Years ago, during a time of intense grief and stress, my therapist said something to me, something that I've carried ever since. She said, you can't think your way out of this. You need to find ways to process the stress your body, not just in your mind.” ([01:05])

Smith shares her initial skepticism about this advice but acknowledges its impact:

“I laughed. Would that actually help? But I understood what she was suggesting. I needed a physical release, a way to offload the stress I was carrying.” ([01:30])

The Therapeutic Power of Physical Activity

Embracing her therapist's guidance, Smith turned to running as a means to alleviate her stress. She describes the transformative effects it had on her mental health:

“I started running and lo and behold, it helped. I felt better, clearer, more focused, less harried. I slept better.” ([01:43])

Her morning routines involve running or walking, which serve as grounding rituals that help her stay connected to her surroundings and maintain mental clarity:

“I like breathing the fresh air and feeling the sun on my skin. I like seeing my neighbors pushing their children in strollers or walking their dogs. I like paying attention to my surroundings.” ([02:05])

Smith emphasizes the importance of sensory experiences in grounding herself:

“Sensory experience grounds me. It gets me back into my body and out of my head.” ([02:15])

Introducing Wind Ode by Sharon Olds

Transitioning from her personal narrative, Smith introduces the day's featured poem, Wind Ode by Sharon Olds. She describes the poem as an ode—a celebration and praise—that underscores the significance of attention as a form of love towards the world:

“Today's poem is an ode, a poem of praise or celebration. It reminds me that attention is a form of love. If you love the world, give it the gift of your attention.” ([02:30])

Smith encourages listeners to engage deeply with their senses and surroundings, highlighting the transient nature of life:

“We are only here on this planet for a short time. We might as well soak up every last bit.” ([02:50])

Reading of Wind Ode by Sharon Olds

Smith proceeds to read Sharon Olds' Wind Ode, bringing the poem to life with her expressive narration. The poem delves into the natural world's dynamics, personifying elements like water and wind to explore deeper existential questions.

Excerpt from the Poem:

“I saw the water ruffled like a duck, as if its ruffles arose from within. I saw clouds scudding across as if by their own will.” ([03:15])

The poem progresses to intimate observations and philosophical musings:

“Who is the mother of the wind? Who is its father? O ancestor, O child of heat and cold?” ([04:50])

Reflections on the Poem

After the reading, Smith reflects on the poem's themes and its resonance with her own experiences:

“Wind Ode invites us to ponder the elemental forces that shape our existence and our perception of the world. It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the unseen forces that influence our lives.” ([05:00])

She connects the poem to her earlier discussion on grounding and sensory awareness, emphasizing how poetry can illuminate the mysteries of life:

“In sharing poems, we take a moment to pause and acknowledge the world’s magnitude, and how poets illuminate that mystery.” ([05:10])

Conclusion

Maggie Smith wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of integrating poetry into daily life as a means of reflection and emotional processing. She acknowledges the collaborative efforts behind The Slowdown, highlighting the contributions of producers, composers, and the production team:

“This week's episodes of The Slowdown were written by me, Maggie Smith. The Slowdown's regular host is Major Jackson...” ([05:13])

Smith invites listeners to engage with the podcast through various platforms, encouraging them to make The Slowdown a part of their daily routines for continuous inspiration and connection with poetry.

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Key Takeaways

• Physical Activity as Therapy: Maggie Smith emphasizes the significance of physical movement in managing stress and maintaining mental health.

• Sensory Grounding: Engaging with the environment through the senses can provide clarity and reduce mental clutter.

• Poetry as Reflection: Reading and reflecting on poetry, such as Sharon Olds' Wind Ode, serves as a powerful tool for personal and collective introspection.

• Attention as Love: Giving attention to the world around us is a form of love and appreciation, enhancing our connection to life.

Notable Quotes

• Therapist's Advice: “You can't think your way out of this. You need to find ways to process the stress your body, not just in your mind.” ([01:05])

• Impact of Running: “I started running and lo and behold, it helped. I felt better, clearer, more focused, less harried. I slept better.” ([01:43])

• Importance of Sensory Experience: “Sensory experience grounds me. It gets me back into my body and out of my head.” ([02:15])

• On Attention as Love: “If you love the world, give it the gift of your attention.” ([02:30])

• Reflection on Wind Ode: “Wind Ode invites us to ponder the elemental forces that shape our existence and our perception of the world.” ([05:00])

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About The Slowdown

The Slowdown is a daily poetry ritual hosted by Major Jackson, produced by APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation, and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. The podcast features a diverse range of poets, from Emily Dickinson to Amanda Gorman, offering listeners a moment of calm, inspiration, and connection with poetry each day.

For more episodes and to subscribe, visit slowdownshow.org or find The Slowdown on Instagram at @slowdownshow.

Transcript

[Major Jackson]

What's up? It's major. Today's episode of the Slowdown is selected and presented by the poet and writer Maggie Smith. I'll return to the host Chair on Monday, February 17th.

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[Maggie Smith]

I'm Maggie Smith.

And this is the Slowdown.

Years ago, during a time of intense grief and stress, my therapist said something to me, something that I've carried ever since. She said, you can't think your way out of this.

You need to find ways to process.

The stress your body, not just in your mind. I remember she asked if I'd ever.

Screamed into a pillow.

I laughed. Would that actually help? But I understood what she was suggesting. I needed a physical release, a way.

To offload the stress I was carrying. I started running and lo and behold, it helped. I felt better, clearer, more focused, less harried. I slept better. Part of what I've continued to do for my mental health is take care of my physical body. I run or walk nearly every morning before the day has a chance to get at me. Before the emails and the phone calls and the meetings. I like breathing the fresh air and feeling the sun on my skin. I like seeing my neighbors pushing their children in strollers or walking their dogs. I like paying attention to my surroundings. Leaf prints on the sidewalk, squirrels burying or digging up acorns, clouds sailing by like ships on a windy day. Sensory experience grounds me. It gets me back into my body and out of my head. Today's poem is an ode, a poem of praise or celebration. It reminds me that attention is a form of love. If you love the world, give it the gift of your attention. Don't be afraid to get up close, to look deeper, to go inside, to reach out and touch, to smell, to engage your senses. We are only here on this planet for a short time. We might as well soak up every last bit. Wind Ode by Sharon Olds I saw the water ruffled like a duck, as if its ruffles arose from within. I saw clouds scudding across as if by their own will. I sat here over the pond and saw its fierce goose flesh and its rough chop as if it were shivering. I did not know you. I looked right through you. And then one summer day Wild Goose was in nine moods at once and I went down to it and into it, up to my lower eyelids and I saw a row of fine lines rushing toward me, then another row cross hatching it rushing, then a veil of dots swift in like a hat veil sized spirit. I saw you. It was you. And there were many of you. I sank underwater and looked up and saw your strokes indent the surface. Could we trace them back, these hachures and graveyars, to the Coriolis force caused by the spinning of the earth? Who is the mother of the wind? Who is its father? O ancestor, O child of heat and cold? Wild Original Scribbler.

The Slowdown is 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. On the [e-mail] to get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter and find us on Instagram lodownshow. This week's episodes of the Slowdown were written by me, Maggie Smith. The Slowdown's regular host is Major Jackson, our lead producer is Michael Kielbon, and our associate producer is Maria Wurtel. Our music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado, engineering by Josh Savageo. Our digital producer is James Napoli. Additional production help by Susanna Sharpless and Lauren Humpert. Our executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith.

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