Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily Episode: [encore] 303: Telling My Father by James Crews Release Date: June 4, 2025

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, hosted by Major Jackson and produced by American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation, offers daily doses of poetry coupled with moments of reflection. In this encore episode, released on June 4, 2025, the podcast revisits a memorable installment featuring former host Tracy K. Smith. This episode delves into the nuances of love, support, and familial relationships through personal anecdotes and a poignant poem, "Telling My Father" by James Crews.

1. Introduction to the Vault Episode (01:04 - 01:28)

Major Jackson opens the episode by introducing the concept of revisiting past episodes from The Slowdown’s extensive archive. He highlights Tracy K. Smith as one of the influential voices that have shaped the show's direction. This sets the stage for listeners to experience a deeply reflective and emotional journey through Tracy's selected poem and her accompanying narrative.

Quote:

"Today we're going into the Vault to bring you an episode from Tracy K. Smith, one of the voices that helped shape the Slowdown into what it is today." — Major Jackson (01:04)

2. Exploring Small Acts of Love and Support (01:28 - 03:30)

Tracy K. Smith begins her segment by contemplating the subtle manifestations of love and support in everyday life. She emphasizes that love often manifests through "small things, gentle gestures rich with import" that might go unnoticed but hold significant emotional weight. Tracy shares personal stories illustrating how these minute acts can profoundly impact one's ability to cope with emotional turmoil.

• Friendship and Emotional Support:

  Tracy recounts a winter evening spent with her friends Layla and Shaina following a heartbreak. They shared pizza, allowed her to express her grief, and created a comforting environment filled with the right balance of laughter and silence. This experience exemplified how friends can "begin the work of easing a burden" that feels insurmountable alone.

  Quote:

  "They ate pizza. They let me cry gently. They stoked the air in those rooms with just what was needed." — Tracy K. Smith (01:38)

• Connection with Loved Ones:

  Another poignant story involves her poet friend Yi Lei and Yi's niece Isha. During a week spent together in Beijing, Tracy highlights their companionship and the profound sense of connection they provided, especially during the emotional goodbye at the airport.

  Quote:

  "We waved to one another across the crowd and again, after a little distance, more looking back ... prolong the time when we were connected in the same space." — Tracy K. Smith (02:41)

• The Role of Pets in Emotional Well-being:

  Major Jackson interjects briefly to highlight the therapeutic presence of pets, prompting Tracy to elaborate on this theme. She reflects on her cat, Lalo, whose silent support helped her navigate the emotional challenges of her 30s, underscoring the mutual care between humans and their pets.

  Quote:

  "Without my cat Lalo, I might never have survived the emotional turbulence of my 30s." — Tracy K. Smith (03:30)

3. Introduction to "Telling My Father" by James Cruz (03:30 - 06:20)

Transitioning seamlessly, Tracy introduces the featured poem, "Telling My Father" by James Cruz. She categorizes it within the genre of "coming out" poems, highlighting its profound emotional depth and the unspoken gestures of love and recognition it encapsulates.

• Poem Overview:

  Tracy reads excerpts from the poem, vividly describing a moment between a son and his father. The imagery of the father watching a crow scavenging symbolizes deeper themes of understanding and unspoken communication. The son reflects on his father's subtle affirmations amidst personal struggles, illustrating a silent bond that transcends words.

  Quote:

  "I found him on the porch that morning, sipping cold coffee ... My father turned to me then, taking in the reek of my smoke, traces of last night's eyeliner." — Tracy K. Smith (04:10)

• Emotional Resonance:

  Tracy delves into the emotional layers of the poem, interpreting the father's actions as gestures of acceptance and support. The act of leaving a glass of orange juice signifies a thoughtful, non-intrusive way of showing care, embodying the theme of unconditional love and understanding.

  Quote:

  "Whatever it is, I understand. I recognize this thing you carry. What you're feeling makes sense to me. You make sense to me." — Tracy K. Smith (06:00)

• Conclusion and Reflection:

  Wrapping up, Tracy ties the poem back to the overarching theme of the episode—how subtle, wordless gestures can convey profound emotional support and recognition. She emphasizes the importance of these moments in fostering deep, unspoken connections between individuals.

4. Episode Wrap-Up (06:20 - End)

As Tracy concludes her reading, the episode transitions to sponsor messages, which are not included in this summary. The segment effectively encapsulates the essence of The Slowdown—using poetry to pause, reflect, and connect with the deeper aspects of the human experience.

Key Takeaways

• Subtle Gestures Hold Profound Meaning: Small acts of kindness and support, whether from friends or pets, play a crucial role in emotional healing and resilience.

• Unspoken Understanding in Relationships: The poem "Telling My Father" illustrates how non-verbal gestures can communicate deep understanding and acceptance within familial relationships.

• The Power of Poetry in Reflection: The Slowdown leverages poetry to facilitate moments of introspection and appreciation for the intricate tapestry of human emotions and connections.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Major Jackson on Revisiting Archives:

  "Today we're going into the Vault to bring you an episode from Tracy K. Smith, one of the voices that helped shape the Slowdown into what it is today." — Major Jackson (01:04)

• Tracy K. Smith on Friends' Support:

  "They ate pizza. They let me cry gently. They stoked the air in those rooms with just what was needed." — Tracy K. Smith (01:38)

• Tracy K. Smith on Mutual Care with Pets:

  "Without my cat Lalo, I might never have survived the emotional turbulence of my 30s." — Tracy K. Smith (03:30)

• Tracy K. Smith on Understanding Through the Poem:

  "Whatever it is, I understand. I recognize this thing you carry. What you're feeling makes sense to me. You make sense to me." — Tracy K. Smith (06:00)

This episode of The Slowdown exemplifies the profound impact of poetry intertwined with personal storytelling, offering listeners a reflective space to contemplate the subtle yet powerful expressions of love and support in their own lives.