[encore] 386: Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong by Ocean Vuong

Summary

Episode Summary: [encore] 386: Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong by Ocean Vuong

Podcast Title: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
Host/Author: American Public Media
Episode: [encore] 386: Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong by Ocean Vuong
Release Date: May 13, 2025

Introduction

In this archive episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, originally hosted by Tracy K. Smith, listeners are invited to explore profound themes of self-care and resilience through poetry. The episode features a heartfelt discussion by Tracy K. Smith on navigating the stresses of contemporary life, particularly from the perspective of a person of color, and culminates with a powerful poem by Ocean Vuong titled "Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong."

Exploring Self-Care and Resilience

Timestamp [01:19] | Tracy K. Smith:
Tracy delves into the pervasive question of self-care, reflecting on its deeper implications beyond surface-level practices. She shares her initial confusion when asked about self-care, realizing the question's profound roots in surviving a polarized and often hostile world.

"How do I recover from the stress of living in the world as a person of color?" she recounts being asked, highlighting the intersection of personal well-being and societal challenges.

Timestamp [02:15] | Tracy K. Smith:
Drawing inspiration from Audre Lorde, Tracy emphasizes the transformative power of anger when harnessed constructively. She articulates:

"Every woman has a well-stocked arsenal of anger, potentially useful against those oppressions, personal and institutional, which brought that anger into being."

Tracy underscores the importance of community and love as pillars that sustain hope and purpose amidst adversity. She shares her personal strategies for self-care, which include kindness to oneself, nurturing relationships, and finding joy in the presence of loved ones.

Ocean Vuong's Poetic Reflection

Timestamp [03:44] | Ocean Vuong:
The episode transitions to Ocean Vuong's evocative poem, "Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong." This piece serves as a meditation on self-acceptance, familial bonds, and the enduring presence of memory and love.

Key excerpts include:

• "Ocean, don't be afraid. The end of the road is so far ahead. It is already behind us."
• "The most beautiful part of your body is wherever your mother's shadow falls."
• "Don't worry. Just call it Horizon and you'll never reach it."
• "Loneliness is still time spent with the world."

Through these lines, Vuong navigates the complexities of identity, the longing for connection, and the bittersweet nature of memory. The poem invites listeners to embrace vulnerability and find solace in the continuity of life and relationships.

Concluding Reflections

Timestamp [05:56] | Tracy K. Smith:
Tracy wraps up the episode by reiterating the collaborative nature of The Slowdown, produced by American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. She leaves listeners with a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of poetry as a tool for reflection and understanding.

Final Thoughts

This archive episode of The Slowdown offers a rich tapestry of introspection and artistic expression. Through Tracy K. Smith's insightful commentary and Ocean Vuong's moving poetry, listeners are encouraged to contemplate their own journeys of self-care and connection. The episode serves as a testament to the power of poetry in fostering empathy, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the shared human experience.

Notable Quotes

• "Every woman has a well stocked arsenal of anger, potentially useful against those oppressions, personal and institutional, which brought that anger into being." – Tracy K. Smith [02:15]

• "The most beautiful part of your body is wherever your mother's shadow falls." – Ocean Vuong [04:10]

• "Loneliness is still time spent with the world." – Ocean Vuong [05:00]

Recommended For

This episode is ideal for listeners seeking thoughtful exploration of personal well-being, the nuances of self-care in challenging times, and the healing power of poetry. Whether you're a longtime fan of The Slowdown or new to the series, this episode offers valuable insights and emotional depth.

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Produced by: APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation
Supported by: National Endowment for the Arts
Listen to More: Explore episodes by previous hosts Tracy K. Smith and Ada Limón, as well as guest hosts Jenny Xie, Brenda Shaughnessy, Tina Chang, and others on The Slowdown website.

Transcript

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[Major]

Hi, it's major. The Slowdown is on a break right now, but we'll be back soon with a new host. In the meantime, we're bringing you some of the best episodes from our archives. Today we revisit an episode from Tracy K. Smith's Time at the Helm. Enjoy.

[Tracy K. Smith]

I'm Tracy K. Smith and this is the Slowdown. The question I'm asked at nearly every Q and A is this. How do you practice self care? The first time I heard it, I was thrown for a loop. How do I take care of myself? I asked the questioner just to make sure and her reply was yes, yes. How do you recover from the stress of living in the world as a person of color? And then I understood she was asking how I was surviving life in a place and time where views about who we are and what we ought to mean to one another have become frighteningly polarized. She was asking how I fought the urge to unravel from the stress and and the anger and the fear of living in such a world. I wish I had been Audre Lorde at that moment and said, as Lorde once did, every woman has a well stocked arsenal of anger, potentially useful against those oppressions, personal and institutional, which brought that anger into being. Focused with prison precision, it can become a powerful source of energy serving progress and change. Audre Lorde, who was both a writer and an activist, changed lives with her finely focused anger. She also immersed herself in a community characterized by immense and generous love. But all I could think of that night on the stage was this. I try to be kind to myself. I spend time talking and laughing with the people I love and who love me. I nurture my children, which in turn affirms my sense of hope and purpose. Today's poem by Ocean Vuong models Another critical aspect of self care. Being honest about how difficult life feels and striving to be tender, patient and consoling with oneself.

[Ocean Vuong]

Someday I'll love Ocean Vuong by Ocean Vuong. Ocean, don't be afraid. The end of the road is so far ahead. It is already behind us. Don't worry. Your father is only your father until one of you forgets. Like how the spine won't remember its wings no matter how many times our knees kiss the pavement. Ocean, are you listening? The most beautiful part of your body is wherever your mother's shadow falls. Here's the house with childhood whittled down to a single red tripwire. Don't worry. Just call it Horizon and you'll never reach it. Here's today. Jump. I promise it's not a lifeboat. Here's the man whose arms are wide enough to gather. You're leaving. And hear the moment just after the lights go out when you can still see the faint torch between his legs. How you use it again and again to find your own hands. You asked for a second chance and are given a mouth to empty out of. Don't be afraid. The gunfire is only the sound of people trying to live a little longer and failing. Ocean. Ocean, get up. The most beautiful part of your body is where it's headed. And remember, loneliness is still time spent with the world. Here's the room with everyone in it. Your dead friends passing through you like wind through a wind chime. Here's a desk with a gimp leg and a brick to make it last. Yes, here's a room so warm and blood close, I swear you will wake and mistake these walls for skin.

[Tracy K. Smith]

The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the [e-mail] this old house has.

[This Old House Host]

Been America's most trusted source for all things DIY and home improvement for decades. And now we're on the radio and on demand.

[Major]

I think you're breaking into this wal.

[Ocean Vuong]

Regardless, I was hoping you wouldn't say that. I need to go and get some whiskey. I think I would get the whiskey for sure.

[This Old House Host]

Subscribe to this Old House Radio hour from LAS Studios. Wherever you get your podcasts.