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.

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