[encore] 1202: If only by Dawn Lundy Martin

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Episode: [encore] 1202: If Only by Dawn Lundy Martin
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Host: Major Jackson
Producer: American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation
Supported by: National Endowment for the Arts

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Introduction

In this encore episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, host Major Jackson revisits a memorable moment from his tenure on the show, offering listeners a deep dive into personal reflections intertwined with poetry. This episode features Dawn Lundy Martin's poignant poem "If Only" and explores themes of political awareness, societal challenges, and the quest for inner peace amidst external turmoil.

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Host's Reflection: Transition and Awakening (00:30 - 07:15)

Major Jackson begins by acknowledging his transition from hosting The Slowdown, expressing gratitude for the rich archive of poetry and reflection the show has cultivated. He reminisces about his seventh-grade experiences under Mrs. Neesmith, who introduced the class to current affairs using the Philadelphia Inquirer. This exercise was not just about reading the news; it was a catalyst for awakening political consciousness among students.

Notable Quote:

"We were becoming concerned citizens, members of our community. Some of us were becoming, dare I say it? Woke."
(00:45)

Jackson reflects on the diverse reactions of his classmates—ranging from passionate debates to indifferent stares—as they grappled with complex issues like the death penalty, American hostages in Iran, and cultural trends. He highlights how these discussions marked a departure from carefree childhoods into a more aware and questioning adolescence.

He further delves into the contemporary relevance of these early experiences, drawing parallels between past and present societal challenges such as climate justice, rising fascism, and disability rights. Jackson emphasizes the importance of embracing these issues as matters of the spirit, necessitating protection and thoughtful engagement, especially in divisive times.

Notable Quote:

"The more we open ourselves to the urgency of these concerns, the greater we realize these are issues of the spirit which sometimes needs protection, especially during cantankerous times."
(03:20)

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Poem Analysis: If Only by Dawn Lundy Martin (07:24 - 07:15)

The centerpiece of the episode is Dawn Lundy Martin's evocative poem "If Only," which Major Jackson presents as a reflection on societal and personal turmoil. The poem navigates through themes of identity, disillusionment, and the search for solace amidst chaos.

Notable Excerpts from the Poem:

"If only I could be your preacher. But I ain't no hope or hope place for you to rest your wary head."
(05:10)

"There's no room for metaphors now. Only limb stubs, little legs made horror in new smallness."
(05:45)

"Take me to the river, darlings. Take me to the drowning place and the drowned."
(06:15)

Jackson interprets the poem as an unapologetic claim of psychic space, where the speaker seeks peace and clarity by shedding ornamental language in favor of raw, ethical truths. The poem's vivid imagery and stark language serve as a mirror to the fractured state of society, reflecting the inner turmoil and external pressures faced by individuals today.

He connects the poem to the broader discussion of how poetry serves as a vessel for expressing and processing complex emotions and societal issues. By presenting such unfiltered narratives, poets like Martin provide a space for listeners to reflect on their own experiences and the world around them.

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Conclusion and Reflection

In wrapping up the episode, Major Jackson ties together his personal reflections with the themes presented in Martin's poem. He underscores the enduring power of poetry as a tool for introspection and societal critique, encouraging listeners to engage deeply with the words and emotions conveyed.

Jackson invites the audience to consider their own roles as concerned citizens and the importance of maintaining psychic space to navigate the relentless flow of information and ideological battles. The episode serves as a reminder of the value of pausing, reflecting, and finding solace through the shared human experience articulated in poetry.

Final Notable Quote:

"Today's poem unapologetically claims psychic space in order to be at peace and clear eyed."
(06:50)

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Additional Information

Listeners are encouraged to explore The Slowdown's extensive back catalog, featuring past hosts like Tracy K. Smith and Ada Limón, as well as guest hosts such as Jenny Xie, Brenda Shaughnessy, Tina Chang, Nate Marshall, Shira Erlichiman, and Jason Schneiderman. The show is available on slowdownshow.org and various podcast platforms.

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Produced by: APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation
Support: National Endowment for the Arts
Connect: Follow The Slowdown on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter on slowdownshow.org

Transcript

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Hi there, it's me, Major Jackson. As I transition from my role as host of the Slowdown, we're taking a look through our archive of episodes. With such a deep well of poetry and reflection, it's a pleasure to revisit these moments together. Here's an episode from my time on the show. I'm Major Jackson, and this is the Slowdown. In seventh grade, my teacher, Mrs. Neesmith, instituted current Affairs. Friday, the Philadelphia Inquirer printed an abridged version of its newspaper for classroom use, which we read every week. Sometimes Mrs. Neesmith projected slides that came with the paper. I can still hear the clicking sound of the carousel. She quizzed us in the dark as the faces of world leaders, celebrities and sports figures filled the room. Usually we read articles out loud, then split off into opposing groups to argue a position. Depending on the topic, some students were deeply impassioned. Others were age appropriately ambivalent. I remember James Tyler's voice rising as he spoke about the death penalty and Janet Mayer making an argument for saving American hostages in Iran. Christian Heather gave an enthusiastic presentation on leg warmers as a fashion trend. I mostly stared out a window, marveling at my friends deeply held beliefs, their acute observations. I hadn't known that they were politically roused by issues or thought intently about culture. It was one of the distinct moments where I felt myself leaving our childhood of nary a care in the world. We were becoming concerned citizens, members of our community. Some of us, you could argue, were becoming, dare I say it? Woke. We were moving into that language of burgeoning awareness. Some people shrug at today's headlines, as others have shrugged at past political struggles. We are asked to educate ourselves to address so much climate justice, rising fascism, disability rights, among many other societal challenges. The more we open ourselves to the urgency of these concerns, the greater we realize these are issues of the spirit which sometimes needs protection, especially during cantankerous times. Today's poem unapologetically claims psychic space in order to be at peace and clear eyed. The speaker foregoes decorative language that would obscure what their heart and mind believe is ethically true. This is a poem by Dawn Lundy Martin if only I could be your preacher. But I ain't no hope or hope place for you to rest your wary head. I am a person like you. Devastated break inside the impossibility. A land that calls itself a name, a God, a people. When we say there is already a name, a God, a people. And even if there wasn't the human body, it's subtle flesh. I cannot pray with any of you because the bodies can't be buried or are already or stain our stupid American teeth. Fresh meat being fresh meat, the microcosm eliminating the world, it spasms. What is a spasm but an elevating sphere like a relevant sophistication in which we know slathering mouths hunt insatiable underneath rock bone. There's no room for metaphors now. Only limb stubs, little legs made horror in new smallness. I am at a party. I am at an art reception. What have you. Why this? Why is this what you care so much about? Take me to the river, darlings. Take me to the drowning place and the drowned. Take me to the snake forest and the big police dogs and the camps and the suicide regimes. Take me howl and fist. Take me gutted Symbol for your newspaper rituals and unrelenting prisons of ideology. The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This project is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the [e-mail] to get a pawn delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter and find us on Instagram. Slowdown show.

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