[encore] 526: Saudade

Summary

Summary of [encore] 526: Saudade – The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

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Introduction

In this encore episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, listeners are treated to a heartfelt exploration of the Portuguese term saudade, a deep and profound longing or melancholy. Originally hosted by Ada Limón, this episode delves into the nuances of longing through personal reflections and the evocative poem "Saudade" by Silvia Bonilla. Although the current host, Major Jackson, introduces the archive episode, the essence and emotional depth remain profoundly intact.

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Host Introduction and Context

At [01:17], the Podcast Producer announces the re-airing of an episode from Ada Limón's tenure as host, highlighting the transition to a new host and reassuring listeners of ongoing quality content. This sets the stage for a nostalgic yet insightful journey into the theme of saudade.

Ada Limón’s Reflections on Nostalgia and Saudade

Ada Limón opens the episode at [01:36] with a personal meditation on nostalgia, distinguishing between fleeting moments of joy and the heavier feelings of longing. She shares her own experiences, such as reminiscing about a beach trip in Baja California at age seventeen, to illustrate the ebb and flow of saudade.

• Notable Quote:
  "In Portuguese, there's the wonderful word saudade, which means deep and profound longing or melancholy." [03:20]

Limon discusses how saudade allows for a balanced embrace of both joy and sorrow, enabling one to "feel the sting of life, but not to entirely wallow in it." She recounts writing to a friend about the healing aspect of shared melancholy, emphasizing communal support in navigating complex emotions.

Exploration of the Poem "Saudade" by Silvia Bonilla

At [04:15], Ada introduces the poem "Saudade" by Silvia Bonilla, setting the tone for an in-depth analysis. She highlights the poem's vivid imagery and emotional resonance, drawing parallels between the poetic narrative and her personal reflections on longing.

Poem Excerpt and Analysis:

• Excerpt:
  "A boy goes in the water. A woman washes her feet before walking into the orange film. The ocean is full of blue darting sounds, precise sadness, a counterfeit gift I received early in life." [04:45]

Ada dissects the poem, focusing on its portrayal of everyday moments imbued with a sense of longing. She interprets the "orange film" as a metaphor for the sepia-toned memories that color our past experiences, evoking both beauty and melancholy.

• Notable Quote:
  "It's that sort of nostalgic filter that allows me to feel the sting of life, but not to entirely wallow in it." [02:45]

Ada further explores the interplay between personal memory and universal emotion, noting how the poem captures the essence of saudade through the interactions between the characters—a young man selling bracelets and his distant mother. This dynamic underscores the enduring impact of loved ones and places on one's emotional landscape.

Themes of Longing and Connection

Throughout the episode, Ada emphasizes how saudade serves as a bridge between past and present, connecting individuals to their memories and relationships. She underscores the poem's ability to encapsulate the bittersweet nature of longing, where absence and presence coexist in a delicate balance.

• Notable Quote:
  "We collectively take a moment to calm, to inspire, to learn, and to engage with the best emerging poets and established writers of our time." [01:10]

Ada's analysis reveals a deep appreciation for how poetry can articulate complex emotions, offering listeners a space to reflect on their own experiences of longing and connection.

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Concluding Thoughts

As the episode concludes, Ada Limón leaves listeners with a renewed understanding of saudade, encouraging them to embrace their own moments of longing as integral to the human experience. The reflection fosters a sense of shared humanity, reminding us that through poetry, we can navigate and articulate the profound emotions that shape our lives.

Podcast Producer’s Closing Remarks

At [05:55], the Podcast Producer reiterates the collaborative effort behind The Slowdown, acknowledging partnerships with American Public Media, The Poetry Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. This reinforces the podcast’s commitment to delivering meaningful and reflective content to its audience.

Notable Quote:
"If you want to protect your favorite public media podcasts like this one, Visit American Public Media.org/Action to learn how you can help." [06:29]

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Conclusion

This encore episode of The Slowdown masterfully intertwines personal reflection with poetic analysis, offering listeners a profound exploration of saudade. Through Ada Limón’s thoughtful narration and Silvia Bonilla’s evocative poem, the episode invites a deep introspection into the nature of longing and its place in our collective journey. Whether nestled in morning coffee routines or evening walks, this episode serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and complexity of human emotions.

Transcript

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[Podcast Producer]

We're reaching into the archives to bring you an episode from Ada Limone's time as host. I'm thrilled to revisit one of her episodes with you. And don't worry, the team is hard at work on a relaunch with a new host.

[Ada Limon]

I'm Ada Limon and this is the Slowdown. There are days I'm prone to see nostalgia in things, the ache of the moment. Most days I try to focus on the bright edges, those little seams of joy that vibrate in the world. But other times, it's hard not to feel the heaviness or deep missing that surrounds me. Sometimes, instead of fighting it, it's a relief to just give into it. To miss my loved ones, to miss my dead, to miss my hometown, my first dog, My ocean. It feels like turning on a giant switch, a sepia filter covering everything. A slow song plays in the background and everything I love or loved comes dancing in front of the mind's eye. It's that sort of nostalgic filter that allows me to feel the sting of life, but not to entirely wallow in it. Just recently I wrote to a friend who was having a hard time about how good the word wallow is. Let us wallow together, I wrote. If we wallow together. We can say wallow over and over until it loses its meaning altogether. In Portuguese, there's the wonderful word saudaoje, which means deep and profound longing or melancholy. I remember that feeling when I was on the beach in Baja California, Mexico, just 17. We'd driven there in my Ford Tempo that somehow made it there and back while only overheating. Once we sat watching the waves crash along the shore, a few surfers, vendors selling silver and the sun going down. Everything was the color of cantaloupe. I bought a pair of earrings from a vendor and watched as the sun sank into the ocean. I remember wondering if my mother was worried about us and knew she was her kid on a beach somewhere, predictably getting sad at the sunset. I remember thinking of her in that moment as much as I remember the place itself. Okay, maybe I was wallowing just a little bit. Maybe it was Sao Daojie. One of the reasons I love today's poem is that it is full of that cantaloupe colored longing and makes no apologies. In this poem we see a beach scene where a woman is watching everything with an eye for where the undercurrent of ache might be. Maybe it's the last day on the beach, or maybe the seasons are changing. But when we see a young vendor enter the poem, we also feel his mother's presence. Everywhere there is a longing saudaoje by Silvia Bonilla One last time A boy goes in the water. A woman washes her feet before walking into the orange film. The ocean is full of blue darting sounds, precise sadness, a counterfeit gift I received early in life. Take a pill, a friend says. It's that easy. A young man sells beaded bracelets. He shows the board and smiles. Hungry smile? No. A torn smile. No. Something blond, hair varnished with copper. He's an apprentice of the tropics, those who walk like gladiators on sand. I'm sad for the mother that must live with her remote tenderness, who says to him over the phone, take care of yourself. Does he name a day for his return?

[Podcast Producer]

The Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This project is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the [e-mail] to get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter. Find us on Instagram at slowdownshow and blueskylowdownshow.org.

[Micah]

Hi everyone, it's Micah, lead producer of the Slowdown. I want to take a minute to talk to you about public media. You may have heard about federal budget cuts and other threats to public media, but what you might not know is that the slowdown is actually part of the public media ecosystem. If you want to protect your favorite public media podcasts like this one, Visit American Public Media.org Action to learn how you can help.