Summary of "The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily" Episode 1171: "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop

Release Date: July 7, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 1171 of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, hosted by Major Jackson and produced by American Public Media, listeners are invited to delve into the intricate themes of loss and reflection through the lens of Elizabeth Bishop's renowned poem, "One Art." This episode seamlessly blends community engagement, personal testimonies, and poetic exploration to create a rich and contemplative experience.

Community Curated Poems

At [01:02], producer Micah Kielbon introduces a segment dedicated to community-curated poems. Reflecting on the previous year's initiative, Micah emphasizes the importance of listener participation in selecting poems that resonate deeply, offering moments of pause and reflection amidst the chaos of daily life. He remarks:

"Last year we asked our community of listeners to help us curate poems we share on the show. To submit poems that have helped you pause and reflect in this busy world."

This call for engagement highlights the podcast's commitment to creating a collective poetic experience, where each listener's contribution enriches the shared journey.

Listener Testimonial: Doug Green

At [01:27], Doug Green, a community curator and former co-poet laureate of Northfield, Minnesota, shares his personal connection to the selected poem. Doug articulates the universal nature of loss and the comforting power of shared experiences:

"It's a topic about loss and losing that I think speaks to everyone and its tone is marvelous. And yet there's a kind of deeper truth underneath it about the way that little things sometimes become magnified. And then also there really are big losses, right? I mean, everybody faces those."

Doug continues to express how hearing someone else's voice during times of struggle can be profoundly reassuring:

"I think it's comforting in a peculiar way that when you're struggling with something, when you're struggling with losses, it helps to hear someone else's voice. I think that's why I would offer it to someone."

His testimonial underscores the episode's theme, emphasizing that poetry can serve as both a mirror and a balm for personal grief and loss.

Featured Poem: "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop

At [02:25], Major Jackson introduces the featured poem, "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of its themes. He begins by recounting personal anecdotes about losing material possessions, seamlessly transitioning into the poem's broader implications on personal and emotional loss:

"Thus is the nature of my hurried existence and drifting att. I even lose the big Items... Between the crowded shadows and my rush to get to the next place, many items escaped my notice."

Jackson narrates his experiences with losing belongings, such as his bag of books and luggage, drawing parallels to the poem's exploration of loss. He poignantly reflects on the limitations of technology in addressing deeper emotional losses:

"No amount of technology can locate the spirit of our friends and family once they've departed this earth. Another kind of loss and no amount of technology today can assuage the heartache of losing someone we dearly love after a breakup."

Following his introduction, Major Jackson recites the poem, weaving in his reflections to enhance its meaning:

"The art of losing isn't hard to master So many things seem filled with the intent to be lost That their loss is no disaster..."

He highlights the poem's structure and message, emphasizing Bishop's nuanced take on loss—not as an insurmountable disaster but as an inevitable part of life that can be mastered through acceptance and practice.

Jackson further elaborates on the poem’s duality, addressing both trivial and significant losses:

"Though it may look like disaster..."

This line encapsulates the poem's central theme: the balance between minimizing the pain of loss and acknowledging its inherent difficulty. Major Jackson's commentary provides listeners with a deeper understanding of how "One Art" navigates the spectrum of loss, from misplaced keys to the profound grief of losing loved ones.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, The Slowdown masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes, community insights, and poetic analysis to create a multifaceted exploration of loss. By featuring Elizabeth Bishop's "One Art," the podcast not only honors a classic piece of literature but also invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with loss and mastery.

The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to engage further with the podcast and support public media, though adhering to the directive to focus on content, this summary does not delve into promotional segments.

Notable Quotes:

• Doug Green at [01:27]:

  "The art of losing isn't hard to master so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster..."

• Major Jackson at [02:25]:

  "No amount of technology can locate the spirit of our friends and family once they've departed this earth."

• Major Jackson reciting the poem at [02:25]:

  "The art of losing isn't hard to master So many things seem filled with the intent to be lost That their loss is no disaster Lose something every day..."

Final Thoughts

Episode 1171 stands as a testament to The Slowdown's mission to illuminate the human experience through poetry. By engaging with both the literary and personal dimensions of loss, the podcast offers a space for listeners to find solace, understanding, and connection through the shared journey of reflection and expression.