Summary of Episode 373: Tracing the Horse by Diana Marie Delgado

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, produced by American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation, presents Episode 373 titled "[encore] Tracing the Horse by Diana Marie Delgado." Released on June 6, 2025, this episode features an encore presentation of a poignant poem, guided by former host Tracy K. Smith. This summary delves into the key discussions, insights, and thematic explorations presented in the episode.

Episode Overview

In this special encore episode, The Slowdown revisits its rich archival content by featuring a memorable episode hosted by the esteemed poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate, Tracy K. Smith. As part of the show's "Vault" series, this episode highlights the enduring legacy and profound impact of past hosts in shaping the podcast's voice and mission.

Host Introduction and Context (01:19 - 01:50)

The episode begins with Major Jackson, the current host, setting the stage for the encore presentation:

Major Jackson [01:19]: "Hey there, it's Major. As we take a look back at the Slowdown's deep well of episodes, we're revisiting some standout moments from past hosts. 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. This is just one of the many special selections from our archives."

This introduction emphasizes the importance of past hosts in cultivating the podcast's ethos of reflection and poetic exploration.

Tracy K. Smith's Reflections on Words and Sensory Memories (01:50 - 05:50)

Transitioning to Tracy K. Smith, the episode delves into her intimate relationship with language and sensory experiences. Tracy shares her profound connections between words and various non-verbal memories, painting a vivid picture of how poetry intertwines with everyday life.

Tracy K. Smith [01:50]: "Ever since I could read, I've loved the things words could help me to understand. Words taught me to look for layers of the world I'd never before known were there."

She eloquently discusses the multifaceted role of words in her life:

Tracy K. Smith [02:05]: "I turned to words constantly to help me clarify a thought, to dig deeper into an idea, to keep something from slipping away and being forgotten."

Tracy contrasts the power of words with the richness of non-verbal sensory experiences:

Tracy K. Smith [02:30]: "Images, sounds, scents, feelings that dawned instantly and imparted something different from sense, but indelible nonetheless."

Her reflections are peppered with evocative imagery, such as:

Tracy K. Smith [03:15]: "The geometry of daylight in a room full of windows, my son under covers at night, the young landscape his body makes up before daylight."

Tracy K. Smith [04:00]: "A wind chime in a tree outside my window swings in a strong breeze. It catches the glow from a porch light and flashes it my way again and again, like a message clamoring to be seen awake suddenly at the dead center of night."

These passages highlight the interplay between visual and auditory stimuli and their influence on her poetic consciousness.

Reading of "Tracing the Horse" by Diana Marie Delgado (05:50 - 06:43)

The core of the episode is Tracy K. Smith's heartfelt reading of "Tracing the Horse," a poignant poem by Diana Marie Delgado. Her delivery brings the poem's emotional and thematic depths to life, inviting listeners to contemplate its layers.

Tracy K. Smith [05:50]: "Today's poem is 'Tracing the Horse' by Diana Marie Delgado. I could read it over and over, dwelling in the states of awareness and sensation it invokes."

"Tracing the Horse" by Diana Marie Delgado

I'm riding a horse I can't stop drawing,
a wild one with a whip for a tail.
It's a song in a dream whose words burn my hands like light.
The moon's gone down again.

If you play cards at night, the devil pulls up a chair, plays with you.
I believe my mother. I'm 10, she told me, study the moon, take a picture, and tell the world what it means.
Only I wasn't sure what the moon would say, especially to me. I couldn't look out the window.

We drove to Ensenada, sailed to an island of squid that once hooked, stained the Pacific over that ocean a dark so dark it was blue.
Maybe Mom's the horse, because aren't horses beautiful? Can't they kill a man if spooked?

Mr. Wurrick reads from the Bible, ties Joseph to his desk like the pigs I've seen slaughtered for Holy Communion.
The devil grabs my feet to cover them in pollen. I should stop talking to him.

He turned me into a crow, put music in me, told me why our plum tree was called purple heart.
Mom brushes my hair and asks me to tell time. When I get it wrong, she slaps me on the ocean gulls made space for sunlight as we followed him into the garage to cut barracuda shoe flies.

I take a book home, read, and return it. A star is put next to my name.
I never read the whole book, just parts words in a row. I read for feelings.

Tracy’s reading emphasizes the poem’s exploration of memory, transformation, and the intricate bond between mother and child. Lines such as:

"Mr. Wurrick reads from the Bible, ties Joseph to his desk like the pigs I've seen slaughtered for Holy Communion." [05:55]

and

"Maybe Mom's the horse, because aren't horses beautiful? Can't they kill a man if spooked?" [06:10]

underscore the poem’s themes of authority, vulnerability, and the surreal blending of reality with imagination.

Conclusion and Production Notes

The episode concludes with a brief mention of the collaborative effort behind The Slowdown:

Tracy K. Smith [06:30]: "The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation."

This acknowledgment reaffirms the podcast's commitment to bringing quality poetry and reflective moments to its audience through strong partnerships.

Key Takeaways

• Interplay of Words and Senses: Tracy K. Smith eloquently discusses how words serve as tools for understanding and preserving thoughts, while sensory experiences provide an immediate, indelible connection to the world.

• Legacy of Hosts: The episode highlights the significant contributions of past hosts like Tracy K. Smith in shaping the podcast's direction and maintaining its depth in exploring poetry.

• Thematic Depth of "Tracing the Horse": The poem delves into themes of memory, transformation, familial bonds, and the blending of reality with the fantastical, all of which resonate deeply with the listener.

• Collaborative Production: The partnership between American Public Media and The Poetry Foundation, along with support from entities like the National Endowment for the Arts, underscores the podcast's dedication to bringing diverse poetic voices to the forefront.

Conclusion

Episode 373 of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily offers listeners a rich tapestry of poetic exploration through the words of Diana Marie Delgado, as beautifully presented by Tracy K. Smith. By revisiting archival content, the podcast not only honors its history but also reinforces its mission to provide moments of calm, inspiration, and deep reflection through the universal language of poetry.