Episode Summary: The Slowdown #1423

Puzzle by Randall Mann

Host: Maggie Smith
Date: December 30, 2025

Overview

In this reflective episode of The Slowdown, Maggie Smith explores the power of poetic form and creative process, centered on Randall Mann’s poem “Puzzle.” Drawing from her personal experience at San Francisco’s Litquake literary festival, Smith discusses how structure and craft guide both her work and Mann’s, culminating in the reading of a uniquely mirrored poem that bookends The People’s Project anthology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Litquake Festival and Anthology Collaboration

• [01:25–01:51] Maggie Smith recounts her recent trip to San Francisco for Litquake, where she participated in an event supporting The People’s Project, an anthology she co-edited with friend and poet Saeed Jones.
  • Quote: “I had an event in support of The People’s Project, an anthology I co edited with my dear friend Saeed Jones. Three of our contributors were also there, Abby Maxwell, Jill Damatok, and Randall Mann.” (Maggie Smith, 01:35)
• The panel featured live readings and a discussion on the craft of poetry with contributors including Randall Mann.

The Role of Form in Writing

• [01:51–02:33] During the festival, panelists tackled the challenges of writing under deadline for anthologies and how form influences the creative process.

  • Quote: “Poet Randall Mann said that he rarely wrote using prompts or on demand... but and the tight turnaround required...”
  • Quote: “Randall Mann said yes to us and embraced the challenge at the festival.” (Maggie Smith, 02:24–02:30)

• Smith highlights Mann’s insight: finding the right “container” or form is crucial for a poem’s development.

  • Quote: “He mentioned that finding the poem's form, its container, was what made his poem and the People's Project possible.” (Host/Maggie Smith, 02:33)

• She relates this to her own practice, describing the “trial and error” involved in finding the best structure for prose or poetry.

  • Quote: “Sometimes I flail about in a piece of writing... until I find the right structure for it. Once I find the form, I’m off and running.” (Maggie Smith, 02:35–03:12)

Structure as Inspiration

• Smith shares that landing on a structure—like her "ten principles of creativity" for her book—gives her both direction and purpose, a sentiment echoed in her memoir and essays.

Mirrored Form in “Puzzle”

• [03:28–04:45] The featured poem, “Puzzle” by Randall Mann, utilizes a mirrored form where the second half reverses the first, adding layers of meaning upon repeated lines.

  • Quote: “Today’s poem is a kind of mirror. The second half matches the first in reverse. As I was reading the People's Project submissions from contributors, I felt strongly that this poem should come last.” (Maggie Smith, 04:27–04:45)

• Smith believes this form creates a powerful closing for the anthology, suggesting listeners pay particular attention to how the poem’s structure shapes its meaning.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Creative Process

• “Finding the right form was also essential in my memoir and in every essay or poem I've ever written. It's an intuitive process, and for me it involves a lot of trial and error.”
  — Maggie Smith ([03:16])

On Poetic Form

• “Today’s poem is a kind of mirror. The second half matches the first in reverse.”
  — Maggie Smith ([04:27])

On the Poetic Experience

• “Perhaps when you listen to the ending, you'll sense why.”
  — Maggie Smith ([04:45])

Featured Poem: “Puzzle” by Randall Mann

[04:46–06:20]
Smith reads “Puzzle” aloud. The poem is constructed to read forward and then in reverse, with the ending echoing and reframing the opening lines.

• Excerpt:
  • “Something ends, something else begins
    In a knowable shadow like a partner
    Honestly I prefer silence
    ...
    Begin.”
    (Full poem recited from 04:46–06:20)

Episode Flow & Key Timestamps

• [01:11] — Host introduction: Maggie Smith
• [01:25–01:51] — Festival and anthology context
• [02:10–03:12] — On the importance of form in writing
• [04:27–04:45] — Introduction to the mirrored structure of “Puzzle”
• [04:46–06:20] — Complete recitation of “Puzzle” by Randall Mann
• [06:20] — Closing credits and where to find more poetry

Tone & Atmosphere

Smith maintains a warm, invitational, and contemplative tone throughout, gently prompting listeners to reflect on both the structure and emotional impact of poetry as daily practice.

Summary

This episode of The Slowdown invites listeners into the intimate world of poetic craft and collaboration. Maggie Smith weaves together her festival experiences, thoughts on creativity, and a close reading of Randall Mann’s “Puzzle,” demonstrating how a poem’s form can deepen its emotional resonance and provide satisfying closure—both for an anthology and the listener’s day.