Summary3 min read

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Episode 1460: Poem to Remind Myself of the Natural Order of Things by Donika Kelly

Host: Maggie Smith
Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this reflective episode, host Maggie Smith delves into the uncertainties of future planning—especially in the context of parenthood and personal growth. She explores the flexibility needed in both life and expectations, drawing parallels to the themes in Donika Kelly’s poem, Poem to Remind Myself of the Natural Order of Things. The episode encourages listeners to prioritize inner fulfillment over societal milestones, using poetry as a tool for grounding and self-exploration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Letting Go of Rigid Plans

Smith discusses her own lack of a “five-year plan” and how, as her children approach adulthood, she herself is entering a new, undefined stage of life.
- “I don't have a five year plan. I'm not sure there was ever a time in my life when I did.” (01:06)
She contrasts external expectations (“What’s next for me?”) with a more introspective approach focused on happiness and fulfillment.
- “I want to stay flexible and open. I want to focus on how my life feels on the inside, not how it looks from the outside.” (03:06)

Parenting Through Uncertainty

Smith shares candid conversations with her daughter, who is on the verge of graduating high school and facing big decisions.
- Instead of focusing solely on practical or prestigious choices, Smith asks, “What do you want your days, and therefore your life to feel like?” (03:55)
She emphasizes that desires and dreams are not fixed—they evolve as we do.
- “I want her to trust me on something that what she wants in life can, can, and will change. Because she will change. No need to have all the answers now. I certainly don’t have them. Not yet. Not ever.” (04:15)

The Power of Poetry in Self-Understanding

Smith introduces Donika Kelly’s poem as a “beautiful meditation on knowing ourselves and knowing what we need to be at home in our own lives.” (04:31)
The poem itself draws a moving parallel between the natural environment of a baby hippo and the fundamental need for authentic belonging in our own lives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Future Planning
- “This is a wish list, though not anything near a plan. And I think that's okay.”
  — Maggie Smith (02:32)
On Parenting and Self-Discovery
- “It doesn't matter how prestigious a college is or how good a class or activity looks on her transcript or resume, or how well paying a career might be if she doesn't feel good about those choices.”
  — Maggie Smith (03:40)
On Change and Trust
- “I want her to trust me on something that what she wants in life can, can, and will change. Because she will change.”
  — Maggie Smith (04:15)
Introduction to Donika Kelly’s Poem
- “Today’s poem is such a beautiful meditation on knowing ourselves and knowing what we need to be at home in our own lives.”
  — Maggie Smith (04:31)
Opening lines of the poem:
- “Observe the baby hippo, early born in hay, over concrete, stumbling and new in its enclosure, taut skin and fat and awkward steps. It stumbles under a fluorescent sun and nearly into the white walls.” — Donika Kelly, read by Maggie Smith (04:40)
- “Oh Donika, you should be in love.” — Donika Kelly, read by Maggie Smith (05:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Host’s personal reflections on planning: 01:06–03:06
Talking to her daughter about life choices: 03:07–04:15
On evolving desires and not needing all the answers: 04:15–04:31
Introduction to and reading of Donika Kelly’s poem: 04:31–05:13

Episode Tone & Style

Thoughtful, gentle, and contemplative.
Smith’s conversational approach weaves together personal anecdote and poetic insight, inviting listeners to embrace uncertainty and seek authenticity.

Summary

This episode invites listeners to relinquish the pressure of rigid life plans, focusing instead on feeling grounded and fulfilled in daily life. Through honest parental reflections and the evocative poetry of Donika Kelly, Maggie Smith demonstrates how poetry can help us tune into our needs, accept the natural evolution of our desires, and find hope in uncertainty.

For more poetry and reflection, visit slowdownshow.org

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Transcript3 lines

[00:00]
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[01:06]
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I'm Maggie Smith and this is the Slowdown. I don't have a five year plan. I'm not sure there was ever a time in my life when I did. In five years my youngest will be 18 and getting ready to leave home. My oldest will be 22 and getting ready to begin her adult life. I suppose one version of a five year plan for me is supporting my daughter through college and supporting my son through high school. But then what? What's next for me? The honest answer is I don't know. I have five years to think about what I want out of the next stage of my life. Five years to think about my priorities and what might make me happy and fulfilled and how I might want to use my time and talents. What are my hopes? I hope as a writer I'm still lit up by new ideas. I hope I'm in love and building something lasting. I hope that with the freedom of becoming an empty nester, I'm traveling and spending time with friends and having adventures that were previously more difficult to manage. This is a wish list, though not anything near a plan. And I think that's okay. I want to stay flexible and open. I want to focus on how my life feels on the inside, not how it looks from the outside. I've been talking to my daughter about this too. As she finishes high school and starts to think about college, where will she go? What will she study? What kind of career might she have later? All of these are good questions and questions that are natural to ask when we are on the precipice of of big changes. But I keep asking her other questions too. What do you want your days, and therefore your life to feel like? I want her to be able to breathe. I want her to enjoy her life, where she lives and with whom, and how she spends her time. It doesn't matter how prestigious a college is or how good a class or activity looks on her transcript or resume, or how well paying a career might be if she doesn't feel good about those choices. I want her to trust me on something that what she wants in life can, can, and will change. Because she will change. No need to have all of the answers now. I certainly don't have them. Not yet. Not ever. Today's poem is such a beautiful meditation on knowing ourselves and knowing what we need to be at home and our own lives. Poem to remind myself of the natural order of Things By Danika Kelly Observe the baby hippo, early born in hay, over concrete, stumbling and new in its enclosure, Taut skin and fat and awkward steps. It stumbles under a fluorescent sun and nearly into the white walls. Hippo, baby little river horse, you should be in a river. Oh Danika, you should be in love. 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. Hi, it's Maggie. Thanks for listening to the Slowdown. Whether you press play to find calm or vivid inspiration, we're glad you're here. As a public media podcast, we rely on listener support to share these moments of poetry. Please consider donating today@slowdownshow.org donate.