The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Episode: [Encore] 305: Wake Up by Carl Phillips
Original Host: Tracy K. Smith
Release Date: April 21, 2025

Introduction: Revisiting the Vault

In this special encore episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, host Major Jackson takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the podcast's rich archive. Highlighting the impactful contributions of former host Tracy K. Smith, Major introduces an episode that revisits one of Smith's memorable moments, showcasing the enduring power of poetry to illuminate and reflect our shared human experiences.

Poem Spotlight: "Wake Up" by Carl Phillips

Tracy K. Smith begins the episode by delving into Carl Phillips's evocative poem, "Wake Up". She sets the stage by drawing parallels between the poem's themes and the tumultuous state of the world, invoking the haunting lines of W.B. Yeats's "The Second Coming":

"Turning and turning in the widening gyre. The falcon cannot hear the falconer. Things fall apart; the center cannot hold. Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world."
— Tracy K. Smith, [00:29]

Smith reflects on how these lines resonate with contemporary feelings of instability and uncertainty, underscoring a sense that conventional structures and truths are unraveling.

Deep Reflections: Finding Comfort in Collective Struggle

Transitioning from Yeats to Phillips, Smith explores the underlying message of "Wake Up", interpreting it as a call to prepare for impending challenges. She emphasizes the poem's portrayal of solitude juxtaposed with subtle companionship:

"The road down from everything even you had hardly dared to hope for has its lonely stretches. Yes, but it's hard to feel alone entirely. There's a river that runs beside it the whole way down. And there's an over song that keeps the river company."
— Tracy K. Smith, [02:15]

Smith contemplates the metaphorical journey depicted in the poem, highlighting the presence of nature and song as sources of solace amidst isolation. She questions the nature of forgiveness and courtesy, pondering their relevance in a world where remnants of the past no longer suffice.

The Falconer’s Lament: Memory and Loss

A poignant segment of the poem centers on the falconer’s relationship with his falcon, symbolizing memory and loss. Smith interprets this relationship as a reflection on the selective nature of memory and the pain of letting go:

"The falconer has lost his falcon. He has heard that falcons are like memory. They come back. But not all memories do. Not all memories should."
— Tracy K. Smith, [03:50]

She delves into the falconer's struggle to reconcile past joys with present grief, illustrating the universal challenge of moving forward when haunted by what once was.

A Cathedral of Memory: Finding Peace in Reflection

Smith further analyzes the poem's setting within a cathedral, viewing it as a metaphor for the mind's sanctuary where memories are preserved and honored:

"The falconer's eye meets the falcon's eye. I have a story, the falcon says seems to the wings lifting, the feathers rippling with the story's parts. I have a story. I can't wait to tell you."
— Tracy K. Smith, [04:45]

This intimate exchange signifies the enduring bond between the falconer and his falcon, embodying the longing to share and preserve personal narratives despite loss.

Conclusion: Embracing the Call to Wakefulness

Wrapping up her reflection, Smith connects the poem's themes to a broader existential awakening. She suggests that "Wake Up" serves as a reminder to consciously engage with the world's complexities and to seek meaningful connections even amidst chaos.

"Why does that idea, the idea that together we must find a new means of putting things back in order, why does it somehow comfort me?"
— Tracy K. Smith, [04:30]

This collective responsibility to rebuild and adapt offers a semblance of hope, reinforcing the podcast's mission to use poetry as a lens through which to understand and navigate our shared journey.

Final Thoughts

This encore episode masterfully encapsulates the essence of The Slowdown—using poetry to pause, reflect, and find connection in a world often fraught with turmoil. Tracy K. Smith's insightful analysis of Carl Phillips's "Wake Up" not only honors the poem's depth but also invites listeners to engage deeply with their own experiences and emotions.

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