Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
Episode: [Encore] 792: Trash by Joshua Bennett
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Host: Ada Limone (Archived Episode)

Introduction

In this special encore episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, host Ada Limone delves into the transformative power of poetry, culminating in the recitation of Joshua Bennett's poignant poem, "Trash Part 2." This episode, originally presented during Ada's tenure, offers listeners a deep exploration of how poetry serves as a mirror to our innermost selves and the world around us.

The Transformative Power of Poetry

Ada Limone opens the episode by sharing her passion for writing poetry and its inherent ability to guide both the poet and the reader towards unexpected revelations.

"One of the things I love about writing poetry is that sometimes you don't know what it is you're searching for, what it is you want to explore. But the poem knows. The poem is smarter than the poet."
— Ada Limone [00:24]

Ada emphasizes that poetry often transcends the initial intentions of the poet, uncovering hidden emotions and thoughts. She recounts her experience writing a poem about a bird feeder, which unexpectedly evolved into an exploration of pain and suffering.

"Once I wrote a poem about my bird feeder. Surprise, surprise, I know. And of course it began with a feeder. And then it moved and moved until it... it wasn't about the fear at all, but about naming our pain, recognizing when something wasn't love but suffering."
— Ada Limone [00:48]

This anecdote underscores Ada's belief that both writing and reading poetry can be therapeutic, allowing individuals to name their wounds and begin the healing process.

Introducing "Trash Part 2" by Joshua Bennett

Transitioning from her reflections, Ada introduces the featured poem of the day:

"Today's poem is a perfect example of starting a poem in one place and ending it in another unexpected place. I admire how this poem reveals a truth and a desire that pulsates under each stanza."
— Ada Limone [05:10]

She sets the stage for Joshua Bennett's "Trash Part 2," highlighting its thematic depth and emotional resonance.

Recitation of "Trash Part 2" by Joshua Bennett

Ada proceeds to recite the poem, which intricately weaves various aspects of "trash" as a metaphor for societal and personal decay:

Trash Part 2
the Knicks were trash.
Head colds at the outset of a South Bronx summer.
Trash the second hour after she is gone.
The moment the song you both used to slow dance through the kitchenette too comes on, moving on all trash.
Death is trash.
Love is a robust engagement with the trash of another.
Monthly bills of any kind are trash, although access to gas and electricity is not, so there is that to consider.
Blackouts are incontrovertibly trash, much like student loans or the fact that we live in a culture of debt such that one must always be behind to make some semblance of what our elders might have called living.
My friends often state in the midst of otherwise loving group chat missives that life is trash, though we all keep trying to make one for some reason or another.
And the Internet says my friends are trash, that black men and boys are trash.
And it makes me think of the high Germanic roots of garbage, which is perhaps the first cousin of trash, that part of the animal one does not eat.
And we are sort of like that. No modernity's refuse, disposable flesh and spectacular failure, fuel and fodder, corpses abundant as the trash on the floor of the world.
Aging is trash.
I'm years past 30 now and so any further time qualifies as statistical anomaly.
You can't expect good results with bad data.
Trash in, trash out, they say, and I'm really just searching for better, more redemptive
Language is the thing, some version of the story where all the characters inside look like me and every single one of us escapes with our heads.

Exploring the Themes of "Trash Part 2"

Ada reflects on the multifaceted symbolism of "trash" in Bennett's poem, dissecting its representation of both personal and societal struggles.

Societal Decay and Debts:

The poem addresses societal issues such as financial burdens and systemic racism:

"Monthly bills of any kind are trash, although access to gas and electricity is not, so there is that to consider."
— Joshua Bennett in the Poem [03:20]

"And the Internet says my friends are trash, that black men and boys are trash."
— Joshua Bennett in the Poem [04:10]

Personal Struggles and Aging:

Bennett intertwines personal reflections on aging and self-worth:

"Aging is trash. I'm years past 30 now and so any further time qualifies as statistical anomaly."
— Joshua Bennett in the Poem [05:00]

Hope and Redemption:

Despite the bleak imagery, the poem concludes with a yearning for redemption through language and storytelling:

"Language is the thing, some version of the story where all the characters inside look like me and every single one of us escapes with our heads."
— Joshua Bennett in the Poem [06:00]

Ada emphasizes the poet's search for "better, more redemptive" language as a means to transcend the negativity embodied by "trash."

Conclusion

Ada Limone wraps up the episode by reiterating the profound impact poetry can have on personal growth and societal understanding. She invites listeners to reflect on the themes presented and encourages them to engage with poetry as a tool for introspection and healing.

"I love how poems reveal us to us."
— Ada Limone [01:00]

Looking Ahead

The episode concludes with a brief announcement from Maggie Smith, hinting at her upcoming role as the new host starting Monday, August 18th, and encouraging listeners to support the podcast through donations.

"Hi, it's Maggie. Thanks for listening to the Slowdown. Whether you press play to find calm or vivid inspiration, we're glad you're here."
— Maggie Smith [06:31]

Final Thoughts

This encore episode serves as a testament to The Slowdown's commitment to showcasing the depth and versatility of poetry. Through Ada Limone's insightful commentary and Joshua Bennett's evocative "Trash Part 2," listeners are invited to explore the intricate layers of human emotion and societal critique encapsulated within poetry.

For those who haven't listened yet, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into how poetry can both reflect and shape our understanding of the world, encouraging a daily practice of reflection and connection.

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