1316: Portrait of My Mother Studying for Her Citizenship Exam by Eduardo Martínez-Leyva

Summary

Summary of "The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily" – Episode 1316: "Portrait of My Mother Studying for Her Citizenship Exam" by Eduardo Martínez-Leyva

Release Date: March 20, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 1316 of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, hosted by Major Jackson and produced by American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation, listeners are invited to embark on a poignant journey through poetry and reflection. This episode features Eduardo Martínez-Leyva's evocative poem, "Portrait of My Mother Studying for Her Citizenship Exam," which delves into the intricate emotions and challenges faced by immigrants striving for citizenship in the United States.

Host's Narrative

Major Jackson opens the episode by sharing a heartfelt anecdote about Mrs. Kumar, an immigrant who has recently become a U.S. citizen. He recounts the joyous moment when Mrs. Kumar, after years of dedication and resilience, passes her naturalization exam and takes the oath of allegiance. Jackson emphasizes the communal celebration, highlighting the diversity and unity among the immigrants:

"It wasn't her birthday. She immigrated to the United States nearly 20 years prior after raising two children... giving voice to a shared belief in the freedoms espoused by their new country." ([01:15])

He illustrates the personal and collective struggles immigrants face, setting the stage for the poem's exploration of these themes.

Reading of the Poem

The centerpiece of the episode is the reading of Eduardo Martínez-Leyva's poem, "Portrait of My Mother Studying for Her Citizenship Exam." Major Jackson delivers the poem with profound sensitivity, capturing the emotional depth and resilience of the protagonist:

"She sits on the corner of her bed, head tilted to one side, licks the tip of her thumb and flips through the thick booklet, trying to remember where we left off." ([02:00])

The poem vividly portrays the mother's meticulous preparation for the citizenship exam, juxtaposed with the looming fears and societal challenges she faces:

"If you ask me, it's hard to believe in God, especially when years later, she's still forced to dodge slurs and bullets from a white man who aims a gun at her in the supermarket." ([04:30])

Reflections and Insights

Following the poem, Major Jackson offers thoughtful reflections on the themes presented. He delves into the broader implications of the immigrant experience, the pursuit of the American Dream, and the personal sacrifices involved:

"Such stories deepen my appreciation for the principle of we the People." ([03:45])

Jackson connects the personal narrative of Mrs. Kumar and the poem's protagonist to the larger societal context, emphasizing the enduring spirit and determination required to navigate the complexities of assimilation and identity.

Conclusion

Episode 1316 serves as a powerful reminder of the multifaceted journeys of immigrants and the profound impact of poetry in illuminating these experiences. Through Major Jackson's engaging storytelling and Eduardo Martínez-Leyva's moving poem, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the emotional landscape surrounding the quest for citizenship and belonging.

"She pores over these texts for hours and hours, focused, determined, always pensive and gentle, careful but intentional." ([05:50])

The episode concludes with encouragement for listeners to embrace moments of reflection and to appreciate the diverse narratives that shape the American tapestry.

Notable Quotes

• "It wasn't her birthday... giving voice to a shared belief in the freedoms espoused by their new country." – Major Jackson ([01:15])
• "She sits on the corner of her bed... trying to remember where we left off." – Eduardo Martínez-Leyva ([02:00])
• "If you ask me, it's hard to believe in God... a white man who aims a gun at her in the supermarket." – Eduardo Martínez-Leyva ([04:30])
• "Such stories deepen my appreciation for the principle of we the People." – Major Jackson ([03:45])
• "She pores over these texts for hours and hours... careful but intentional." – Eduardo Martínez-Leyva ([05:50])

Closing Thoughts

The Slowdown continues to serve as a daily sanctuary for poetry enthusiasts, offering moments of calm, inspiration, and profound reflection. Through episodes like 1316, listeners are encouraged to engage deeply with the poetry that captures the essence of human experiences and societal narratives.

For more episodes and to make The Slowdown a part of your daily routine, visit slowdownshow.org and subscribe to their newsletter.

Transcript

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[Major Jackson]

You pay UP devices early ctmobile.com hey Slowdown listeners. This spring we have two live events coming your way in LA on March 28th and Nashville on April 8th. Find more [e-mail] I'm Major Jackson and this is the Slowdown. I distinctly remember the look of joy on Mrs. Kumar's face. She sat at the end of a long table, beaming while opening gift bags. It wasn't her birthday. She immigrated to the United States nearly 20 years prior after raising two children. After establishing a therapy practice, she decided finally to become a citizen. Earlier that morning, having successfully passed the naturalization exam, she took the oath of allegiance and here we were, her neighbors, family and co workers, eating plates of curries, biryani rice, naan bread and celebration. My friend Rukmini joked that we would have failed the citizenship test given how we dozed in American history classes. How many articles are in the original Constitution? Who knows? She laughed with watery eyes. Mrs. Kumar shared the feelings of being in a room full of people with different histories and cultures, all raising their hands together in unison, giving voice to a shared belief in the freedoms espoused by their new country. Her story is but one of many. Today's poem tells another story of a path to citizenship. Such stories deepen my appreciation for the principle of we the People. Portrait of my mother studying for her citizenship exam by Eduardo Martinez Leyva. She sits on the corner of her bed, head tilted to one side, licks the tip of her thumb and flips through the thick booklet, trying to remember where we left off. Two weeks ago, the mint colored Bronco parked in the neighbor's driveway, the youngest one left in handcuffs, and they haven't heard from her since. My mother sighs. Pobre de Mexico tan lejos di Dios y tanseca de los Estados unidos I am 10 and so far away from God I feel Angelo and I take turns teaching her tracking English like dirt into our home, the only savior they tell us we need. If only it could be that simple and true to build her a life out of mud and syllables of saliva, colonies and state capitals, treaties and phrases coined during a long ago war, written in the textbook. Pretty cursive. Give me liberty or give me death. She repeats even the birds names she has to learn. And after all those evenings rehearsing and memorizing the mythology of it, no one could prepare her for the early morning raid, the strip searches at the border, the child who gets deported. If you ask me, it's hard to believe in God, especially when years later, she's still forced to dodge slurs and bullets from a white man who aims a gun at her in the supermarket, Give me liberty or give me death. But for now, she'll settle at the corner of her bed, skimming through lines and sentences, narrowing her eyes as her fingers move to the following page, mouthing out words, unfolding a wrinkled map she smooths open with her hands, pausing before using her index finger to trace the dotted lines. She pores over these texts for hours and hours, focused, determined, always pensive and gentle, careful but intentional, like when combing for ticks on the head of her firstborn son. 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. On the [e-mail] to get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter. Find us at on Instagram @downdownshow and bluesky slowdownshow.org.

[Podcast Host]

The soul to Story podcast is about how teaching kids to read went wrong. But now we have a story about a school district where things are going very right.

[Educator]

Let me make sure my friends are sitting criss cross applesauce hands in their lap.

[Major Jackson]

I've never had a child that couldn't read.

[Podcast Host]

How did they do it?

[Educator]

When I tell some of my other colleagues that may be at other schools that this is what I do and they would say, you kidding me?

[Podcast Host]

New episodes of Sold a Story are available now in your podcast. Apparently.