Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Episode 1397: “Palinode” by Lisa Low
Host: Maggie Smith
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Slowdown, host Maggie Smith explores the concept of changing one’s mind, specifically reframing how we view growth and reconsideration—both personally and in our relationships. The episode centers on the poetic form of the palinode, which involves a poet revising or retracting an earlier stance. Maggie Smith reflects on societal attitudes towards “flip-flopping,” particularly in the political sphere, and introduces Lisa Low’s poem “Palinode” as a meditation on how we portray others (in this case, a mother) in our creative work.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

On Changing One’s Mind

• Political Context:
  Maggie recalls the 2004 US presidential election, discussing how opponents accused John Kerry of being a “flip-flopper”—a term used to criticize politicians for changing their positions (01:07).
• Reflection on Flexibility:
  Smith critiques this as an overly simplistic, negative framing:

  “What does changing one's mind really demonstrate? I think it takes maturity to reconsider old ideas and opinions and hold them up to scrutiny...” (01:32)

• Growth as Strength:
  Smith frames evolving perspectives as a sign of intelligence, adaptability, and growth—not a weakness:

  “I have fixed core values—honesty, integrity, compassion. But I want to be flexible in my thinking, and I’m trying to raise my kids with all of this in mind too. I want them to know it's okay to grow, change, evolve.” (02:10)

On Palinode and the Power of Retraction

• Definition & Context:
  Smith explains the literary form of “palinode”—a poem in which the writer retracts or revises previous statements (02:34).
• Application to the Poem:
  She sees palinode as an artful method for reconsidering representations, especially of family:

  “Today’s poem makes us consider how we write about other people. It flip flops in a sense, but it certainly does so in an effective and artful way.” (02:49)

Featured Poem: “Palinode” by Lisa Low (Recited at 02:52–04:00)

The poem presents a nuanced depiction of a mother, questioning which representations are “accurate”—the strict, hardworking immigrant mother, or something more vivid and playful. Throughout, the poet contemplates the ethics of using a loved one’s story, especially when memories are unclear or stereotyped.

Notable Lines:

• “Your mother enters the poem with her sadness intact.”
• “Your mother enters the poem wearing all her animal print items at once. Laughs holding a leopard print lamp.”
• “Shouldn't she be paid for inspiring you?”
• “Your mother reads the poem and tells you she isn’t an immigrant — student visa she corrects your language...”
• “Pay your mother to display her sadness across the pages of a poem.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nuance and Growth:

  “I think it takes maturity to take in new information, new advice and new experiences and to say, you know what? I used to think X. But I'm older and wiser now... and now I believe Y.” —Maggie Smith (01:42)

• On Changing as Human Nature:

  “After all, there was a time the earth was believed to be flat. Humanity has since flip flopped on that.” —Maggie Smith (02:29)

• On Writing About Others:

  “Shouldn't she be paid for inspiring you?” —Lisa Low, via Maggie Smith (03:22)

• On Memory and Representation:

  “You keep her sadness intact despite the hazy quality of your childhood memory.” —Lisa Low, via Maggie Smith (03:36)

Key Timestamps

• 01:07–02:29 – Host’s reflection on society’s view of “flip-flopping” and personal growth
• 02:34–02:49 – Introduction to the palinode form
• 02:52–04:00 – Recitation of “Palinode” by Lisa Low
• Throughout – Emphasis on compassion, honesty, and the dynamic nature of both identity and memory

Episode Takeaways

• Re-examining one’s views—and even public “flip-flopping”—can be an expression of maturity, not weakness.
• The palinode is a poetic tool for retraction and self-correction, inviting deeper consideration of how we narrate others’ lives, especially family.
• The poem “Palinode” interrogates the ethics of writing about loved ones, the fallibility of memory, and the shifting ways we understand our stories.

This episode offers listeners a compassionate, nuanced take on change and invites reflection on both personal growth and the responsibility of storytelling—hallmarks of The Slowdown experience.