Summary3 min read

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Episode 1369: Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes by Kathleen Driskell
Host: Maggie Smith
Date: October 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Slowdown is centered on the theme of fear, vulnerability, and unexpected kindness, particularly as experienced by women in the presence of men. Host Maggie Smith introduces and reflects on Kathleen Driskell’s poem “Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes.” Through personal reflection and poetic narration, the episode explores the anxieties women navigate in the world, especially in situations where they might be alone and vulnerable, and how moments of compassion can emerge where least expected.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Man or Bear” Question and Everyday Female Fear

[02:02]

Maggie Smith opens with a recent online debate: “Man or Bear?” Women were asked who they would rather encounter alone in the woods. Most chose “bear.”
- Insight: Smith emphasizes this is not an irrational fear. Female safety is threatened disproportionately by men, especially those known to them.
- Quote:
  
  “Most women I know have one fear above all others. Men. It's not an irrational fear either.”
  — Maggie Smith [02:12]
She shares her own precautions: being aware of surroundings, carrying makeshift weapons, and avoiding walking alone after dark—not because of wildlife, but because of fear of men.

2. Introduction to the Poem

[03:10]

Smith introduces Kathleen Driskell’s poem, noting her admiration for the poem's narrative tension and emotional impact:
- Quote:
  
  “I so admire how this poet unfolds the narrative, then leaves me sighing deeply at the end.”
  — Maggie Smith [03:12]

3. Poem: “Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes”

[03:15-05:00]

The poem recounts a woman lost in the woods after chasing a dog, ending up at a camp of eight unfamiliar, rough-looking men.
Driskell’s imagery conveys palpable fear—of the unknown, of men, and of being alone and vulnerable.
The men’s surprise and tension mirror the woman's own; the situation is fraught with potential danger.
After hushed deliberation, two men drive her safely back to the sheriff’s station, where she is reunited with her boyfriend—offering a moment of relief.
The poem closes with a meditation on rare, important kindness:
- Quote:
  
  “It's good to remember this kindness of men, especially in the times we are living.”
  — Kathleen Driskell (read by Maggie Smith) [05:10]

4. Reflection on Kindness and Complexity

[05:15]

Smith acknowledges the weight of the poem’s closing sentiment, contrasting pervasive fears with moments where compassion still exists.
- Insight: The poem doesn’t erase danger or trauma but reminds us that acts of decency matter profoundly.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Most women I know have one fear above all others. Men. It's not an irrational fear either.” — Maggie Smith [02:12]
“None of these precautions are to protect me from bears. They're to protect me from men.” — Maggie Smith [02:31]
“It's good to remember this kindness of men, especially in the times we are living.” — Kathleen Driskell (read aloud by Maggie Smith) [05:10]

Timestamps of Important Segments

02:02 — Maggie Smith begins reflecting on “Man or Bear?” and the roots of women’s fears.
03:10 — Introduction of Kathleen Driskell’s poem and its narrative structure.
03:15–05:00 — Full reading of “Six Hours Lost, Land Between the Lakes.”
05:15 — Reflection on the poem’s message and the importance of remembering kindness.

Tone and Final Thoughts

Maggie Smith’s delivery balances vulnerability, empathy, and hope. The tone remains intimate, contemplative, and honest—offering solace and deep reflection through poetry. The episode invites listeners to recognize the real fears women face and the rare, redemptive moments of kindness that help restore faith in humanity, even in fearful circumstances.

For more poems and daily reflections, visit slowdownshow.org and follow @downdownshow on Instagram.

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Transcript3 lines

[00:00]
A
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[02:02]
C
I'm Maggie Smith and this is the Slowdown. A while back there was a discussion happening online. Man or Bear? Women were asked, if you were in the woods alone, would you rather encounter a man or a bear? It didn't surprise me at all that so many women answered bear. Most women I know have one fear above all others. Men. It's not an irrational fear either. If you are a woman and you have been physically or sexually assaulted, it's highly likely the perpetrator was male. If you have been stalked or threatened, if you have needed a protective order, if you have had to call the police, chances are you were reporting a man's behavior. Women are less likely to be victims of random violence than they are to be assaulted or killed by men. They know their own boyfriends, husbands, exes, or fathers. As a woman, I know to be aware of my surroundings, to carry something I could use as a weapon in a pinch, and to avoid walking alone after dark. None of these precautions are to protect me from bears. They're to protect me from men. Today's poem tells a story about a tense encounter in the woods. I so admire how this poet unfolds the narrative, then leaves me sighing deeply at the end. Six Hours Lost Land between the Lakes by Kathleen Driscoll Long after dark had fallen and the trail left behind long after the dog I had chased into the unfamiliar woods disappeared, she long gone into oaks and hickory and brush and likely back asleep on the porch of my new boyfriend's cabin. I saw a fire in the distance and walked toward it. There in their camp, orange light flashing across their rough, bearded faces creased in dirt, unruly feral hair, tin cups and grimy hands like that movie relaxing, they mocked and jabbed at each other. After a long day of timbering, nearly all jumped up when I wandered in, but the youngest, a teenager, stayed seated, continued pawing at the ground with a hatchet while I spoke as if he were embarrassed I was about his age and pretty enough, if that ever matters, and alone in the woods, completely soaked in fear. Finding no real relief in discovering their camp, I counted quickly. There were eight of them, their eyes as astonished as mine that we were there together, miles away from everyone and everything. In the middle of the night woods. They huddled a few moments, looking over to eye me and then back to hushed talk. Finally, two set down their whiskeys. It had been determined they would be the ones to drive me back. The drive was quiet but for me, in the middle of the cab, pointing out turns when I stumbled from the old logging truck into the washing blue lights of the sheriff's and deputies cars, I rushed into the arms of a man I would date for only a few more weeks. Face it's good to remember this kindness of men, especially in the times we are living. The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. To get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter and find us on Instagram @downdownshow and bluesky@downdownshow.org Foreign Maggie here, host of the Slowdown Listening to and reading poetry helps us find our footing in an uncertain world, especially during challenging times. You can help keep these moments of poetry and reflection going by making a gift today. Visit slowdownshow.org donate.