Summary of [Encore] 496: A Brief Meditation on Breath by Yesenia Montilla

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily brings listeners a curated selection of poetry paired with thoughtful reflections. In this encore episode, released on May 12, 2025, host Tracy K. Smith revisits a poignant piece by Yesenia Montilla titled "A Brief Meditation on Breath." This episode delves deep into the intersections of personal experience, societal tension, and the fundamental act of breathing.

Introduction to the Episode

This episode is a special encore presentation featuring Tracy K. Smith, a former host of The Slowdown. By tapping into the podcast's rich archives, Smith introduces listeners to Montilla's evocative poem, setting the stage for a profound meditation on breath and its broader implications.

Tracy K. Smith's Personal Reflection (01:28 - 05:50)

Tracy begins with a personal anecdote that seamlessly transitions into the themes of the poem:

[01:35] Tracy K. Smith: "The other morning at around 3am I woke to a blood curdling scream coming from my son's room. My children are dramatic. They wail and howl as easily as they burst into raucous laughter."

She describes the intense emotions and physical sensations she experienced during this late-night disturbance:

[02:10] Tracy K. Smith: "Heart racing, practically bursting from my chest, I ran to their room and what did I find? A minor dispute."

This narration serves as a metaphor for the internal and external struggles that individuals face daily, setting the emotional groundwork for Montilla's poem.

Presentation of "A Brief Meditation on Breath" (05:51 - 06:21)

After her reflection, Tracy introduces the poem, highlighting its relevance to contemporary issues:

[05:55] Tracy K. Smith: "Today's poem is a brief meditation on breath by Yesenia Montilla."

Recitation of the Poem

Tracy delivers Montilla's poem with heartfelt emotion, emphasizing the fragility and strength intertwined in the act of breathing:

[06:00] A Brief Meditation on Breath
I have divers lungs from holding my breath for so long. I promise you I am not trying to break a record. Sometimes I just forget to exhale, my shoulders held tightly near my neck.

I can't remember the last time I felt light as dandelion. I can't remember the last time I took the sweetness in and my diaphragm expanded into song.

Throughout the poem, Montilla weaves personal struggle with broader societal challenges, touching upon themes like stress, oppression, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic:

Yesterday I walked 38 blocks to my father's house with a mask over my nose and mouth, the sweat dripping off my chin, only to get caught in fabric and pool up like rain.

They're saying this virus takes your breath away. Not like a mother's love or like a good kiss from your lover's soft mouth. But like the police, it can kill you fast or slow.

These lines poignantly capture the duality of breath as both a life-sustaining force and a symbol of vulnerability against systemic forces.

Analysis and Insights

Tracy's introduction and the poem together offer a multifaceted exploration of breath beyond its biological function. The poem serves as a metaphor for various forms of restraint—be it emotional, societal, or physical. By recounting her own experiences of anxiety and maternal responsibility, Tracy bridges the personal with the universal, allowing listeners to find resonance in Montilla's words.

The references to the pandemic and police brutality ground the poem in specific historical contexts, highlighting how external factors can deeply influence one's internal state. The imagery of "inhaling small spurts of me, little particles of my DNA" speaks to introspection and the inescapable presence of one's identity amidst chaos.

Conclusion

This encore episode of The Slowdown masterfully intertwines personal narrative with powerful poetry to offer listeners a moment of reflection. Through Tracy K. Smith's heartfelt presentation and Yesenia Montilla's evocative verses, the episode invites us to contemplate the essence of breath as a symbol of life, struggle, and resilience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [01:35] "The other morning at around 3am I woke to a blood curdling scream coming from my son's room."

• [02:10] "Heart racing, practically bursting from my chest, I ran to their room and what did I find? A minor dispute."

• [05:55] "Today's poem is a brief meditation on breath by Yesenia Montilla."

• [06:00] "I have divers lungs from holding my breath for so long. I promise you I am not trying to break a record."

• [06:15] "Yesterday I walked 38 blocks to my father's house with a mask over my nose and mouth, the sweat dripping off my chin, only to get caught in fabric and pool up like rain."

This detailed exploration of "A Brief Meditation on Breath" not only honors the poem's depth but also exemplifies The Slowdown's commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of our shared human experiences through the art of poetry.