1469: Pardon My Heart by Marcus Jackson

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
Episode: 1469: Pardon My Heart by Marcus Jackson
Host: Maggie Smith
Date: March 4, 2026

In this episode, host Maggie Smith explores the theme of sensitivity—both as a source of vulnerability and strength—in her personal life and in the featured poem, "Pardon My Heart" by Marcus Jackson. The episode reflects on embracing one’s big-heartedness, feeling deeply in response to life’s joys and sorrows, and how poetry can be a companion for those who live with open hearts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Maggie Smith on Sensitivity

• Personal Anecdote (01:30–02:24)
  Maggie shares that her children lovingly tease her for being overly sensitive, acknowledging both the joys and burdens of having “a tender heart.”

  “My sensitivity might be both my superpower and also my kryptonite. Still, I can't imagine having a different kind of heart, although sometimes I wish mine were a little tougher, not so easily bruised.” (02:08)

• Emotion as Strength and Challenge
  Maggie describes how being deeply affected by movies, the news, sunsets, and everyday moments both connects her to the world and leaves her vulnerable. She wonders what it would be like to care less, but ultimately affirms her own nature:

  “I can't imagine feeling less or caring less. That's not the heart I have.” (02:39)

• Normalization and Humor
  Sensitivity has become a family bit—her children notice when she tears up and lovingly nudge her, underscoring how emotional responses, while sometimes embarrassing, are also points of connection.

Introduction to the Poem

• Nuanced Appreciation of Heartfelt Living
  Maggie sets up Marcus Jackson’s poem as an embrace of big-heartedness and emotional expressiveness, suggesting the poem’s speaker is unashamed of feeling deeply:

  “I love that the speaker of today's poem is big hearted and knows it—owns it. Sorry, not sorry, he seems to say.” (02:44)

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Featured Poem: "Pardon My Heart" by Marcus Jackson

(02:49–04:08)

Notable Lines & Concepts:

• Apology for Emotional Presence:

  “Pardon my heart if it ruins your party. It's a large American heart and has had a good deal to drink. It's a pretty bad dancer. Too much feeling, too little technique.”

• Celebration of Vulnerability:

  "It may sing some godless hymns about ousting armies of loneliness, about marching victorious to wives and towns beneath a heart colored dusk."

• Big-heartedness in Social Spaces:

  "Pardon my heart if it laughs too loudly or if it tells many of its stories too ardently. Pardon my heart if it rests an arm across you or your friend's shoulders."

• Persistent Joy:

  "My heart will ignore and keep doing its little two step, aglow in the middle of the room, never happier to have nowhere else to go."

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the Value of Sensitive Living:
  Maggie muses on what the world might be like if she, or others, cared less:

  “Would I be able to see what's happening in the world around me and not feel so broken hearted? What would it be like to sleep through the night unbothered?” (02:31)

• Affectionate Self-Acceptance:
  Maggie connects her personal emotional experience to that of the poem’s speaker, inviting listeners to also embrace the fullness of their feelings.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:30–02:44 – Maggie Smith introduces her own sensitivity, relates it to her daily life, and frames the upcoming poem.
• 02:44–02:49 – Maggie sets up the poem and draws a parallel between herself and the poem’s speaker.
• 02:49–04:08 – Maggie reads "Pardon My Heart" by Marcus Jackson, highlighting themes of vulnerability, social awkwardness, and joyful existence.
• 04:08–04:20 – Closing remarks and encouragement to continue exploring poetry for reflection and connection.

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Episode Takeaways

• Sensitivity, while sometimes a source of discomfort, is also a superpower that enables richer experiences of life and connection.
• Marcus Jackson’s poem is a celebration of living with a big, open heart—even when it’s awkward or disruptive.
• Embracing vulnerability fosters authenticity and joy, both for oneself and in relation to others.

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Notable Quotes

• Maggie Smith:

  “My sensitivity might be both my superpower and also my kryptonite.” (02:08)
  “I can't imagine feeling less or caring less. That's not the heart I have.” (02:39)

• Marcus Jackson (poem):

  "It's a pretty bad dancer. Too much feeling, too little technique."
  "Pardon my heart if it laughs too loudly or if it tells many of its stories too ardently."
  "My heart will ignore and keep doing its little two step, aglow in the middle of the room, never happier to have nowhere else to go."

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Overall Tone

Gentle, reflective, and compassionate—affirming sensitivity and emotional openness as vital to a life of meaning and connection.

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For more daily poetry and reflection, listeners are encouraged to visit slowdownshow.org and join the community online.

Transcript

[A]

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[A]

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[D]

I'm maggie smith. This is the slowdown. If there's one thing my kids tease me about more than anything, it's my sensitivity. They lovingly tease me, I should add. What can I say? I have a tender heart. I often cry during movies. Hamnet about did me in this year. I get emotional about anything from a sunset to a commercial. The news undoes me. Frankly, I don't know how anyone isn't undone by the news. Lately. My sensitivity might be both my superpower and also my kryptonite. Still, I can't imagine having a different kind of heart, although sometimes I wish mine were a little tougher, not so easily bruised. What would it be like to listen to Sufjan Stevens and not tear up? What would it be like to watch a character die on screen or on the stage and not feel it deeply? Yes, I know those people are only acting and I don't know them personally anyway. But I can't help but grieve in that moment. And yes, if my kids are with me, they'll give me that look or nudge me when I start to sniffle and wipe my eyes. It's now sort of a bit between us. If I had a different kind of heart, a tougher heart, would I be able to see what's happening in the world around me and not feel so broken hearted? What would it be like to be able to sleep through the night unbothered? I can't imagine feeling less or caring less. That's not the heart I have. I love that the speaker of today's poem is big hearted and knows it owns it. Sorry, not sorry, he seems to say. Pardon My Heart by Marcus Jackson Pardon my heart if it ruins your party. It's a large American heart and has had a good deal to drink. It's a pretty bad dancer. Too much feeling, too little technique. It may sing some godless hymns about ousting armies of loneliness, about marching victorious to wives and towns beneath a heart colored dusk. Pardon my heart if it closes its eyes for hours, whispering rapture over and over. Pardon my heart if it laughs too loudly or if it tells many of its stories too ardently. Pardon my heart if it rests an arm across you or your friend's shoulders Touch allows my heart to trust that it's not imagining your company's loveliness. Pardon my heart if you have to kick it out after you've muzzled the music and brightened the lights to tidy my heart will ignore and keep doing its little two step A glow in the middle of the room, never happier to have nowhere else to go. 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 lodownshow and bluesky.slowdownshow.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 [e-mail] donate.