Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
Episode: [encore] 1172: From Blossoms by Li-Young Lee
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Host: Major Jackson (Produced by APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation)

Introduction

In this encore episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, hosted by Major Jackson, the team revisits a beloved poem, "From Blossoms" by Li-Young Lee. This episode highlights community connections and personal reflections on how poetry serves as a beacon of hope and unity, especially during challenging times.

Community Submissions and Reflections

Producer Micah Kielvan kicks off the episode by reflecting on the podcast's initiative from the previous spring, where listeners were invited to submit poems that helped them "slow down." [01:02] He emphasizes the beauty of this interaction, stating, “it was such a beautiful way to connect with our community.” Recognizing the impact of these submissions, Micah introduces featured community members who share their personal connections to the selected poems.

Candice Howes: Finding Hope in Poetry

Candice Howes, a marketer and writer from North Carolina, shares her poignant experience with poetry during the pandemic. [01:25] She recounts how, amidst the chaos of early 2021, she turned to the internet for solace and stumbled upon a poem that resonated deeply with her personal struggles.

“I felt like it really spoke to where I was in my life at that time. Everything's kind of like falling apart, but you have these little things like thinking about what that means.” [01:35]

Candice highlights the poem's ability to inspire hope and encourage individuals to cherish the small joys in life. She further appreciates the communal aspect of poetry, feeling a sense of unity and shared experience whenever she reads the poem.

“I also feel like I'm in that moment with someone else, and so I really like the feeling of unity that I think this poem kind of inspires.” [02:15]

Her reflection underscores the role of poetry in fostering connections and providing comfort during societal and personal upheavals.

Host AJ Jackson: A Personal Anecdote Inspired by "From Blossoms"

AJ Jackson, the host, delves into a narrative that intertwines personal experiences with the essence of "From Blossoms." [02:39] He begins by humorously comparing grocery shopping to sports competitions with his wife, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of appreciation and mindfulness.

AJ narrates a trip to Northern California, where he and his wife encounter an exceptionally designed grocery store. The experience of awe and paralysis before the store leads them to choose the simplicity of a farmer's market instead.

“The entire store felt like an imperial temple to human consumption, and yet we were frozen in its perfection.” [03:10]

This incident becomes a metaphor for the poem's themes—celebrating simple, natural abundance over artificial perfection. AJ connects this to the recitation of "From Blossoms," emphasizing the spiritual bounty and joy derived from nature and human connection.

He recites key excerpts from the poem, capturing its vivid imagery and emotional depth:

“From blossoms comes this brown paper bag of peaches we bought from the boy at the bend in the road...” [04:00]

“Oh to take what we love inside to carry within us an orchard to eat not only the skin but the shade...” [04:45]

AJ's interpretation reinforces the poem's celebration of life's simple pleasures and the profound satisfaction found in nature's offerings.

Conclusion

This episode of The Slowdown beautifully encapsulates how poetry can serve as a sanctuary and a bridge among individuals. Through Candice Howes' heartfelt reflection and AJ Jackson's engaging storytelling, listeners are reminded of the profound impact that poetry can have on our lives, especially during times of uncertainty. "From Blossoms" by Li-Young Lee stands as a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the enduring spirit of human connection.

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Produced by APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.