Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

Episode: [encore] 845: Dear Future Me (#12) by Lena Moses-Schmitt
Host: Major Jackson
Release Date: December 30, 2024
Produced by: American Public Media in partnership with The Poetry Foundation

Introduction to the Episode

In this encore episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, host Major Jackson delves into the evocative poem "Dear Future Me (#12)" by Lena Moses-Schmitt. As the year 2024 draws to a close, Jackson sets the stage for introspection and poetic exploration, inviting listeners to reflect on their personal journeys and the universal themes that poetry so elegantly captures.

Major Jackson’s Reflections on Writing Poetry

At [00:26], Major Jackson opens the episode by addressing the perennial question, "What is writing poetry like?" He offers a vivid metaphor, likening the process to "donning special sunglasses" that transform one's perception, similar to being cast in a "classic grainy black and white film." This imagery underscores the unique and transformative vision that poetry requires.

Jackson elaborates on the essence of poetry, emphasizing its role in connecting present and past experiences through metaphor. He states:

"Writing poetry is chiefly a search for language that makes a tidy explanation of both the present and the past, with the hope our mind grabs on so that the poem emerges also as a visceral experience of thinking."
— Major Jackson [00:26]

He further explores poetry's temporal dimension, suggesting that poems serve as "containers of time," preserving the era's essence in their language. Referencing T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" with the line "let us go then, you and I, when the evening is spread out against the sky," Jackson highlights poetry's ability to capture and convey the zeitgeist.

Exploration of "Dear Future Me (#12)"

Jackson introduces Lena Moses-Schmitt's "Dear Future Me (#12)" as a poignant reflection on time, selfhood, and the complexities of modern life. He praises the poem for making "explicit poetry's relationship to time, selfhood, and metaphor in surprising language that goes beyond performance to a true fullness of heart and spirit."

Key Themes and Insights

1. The Noise of Modern Life:
   Moses-Schmitt begins by depicting the intrusive noises that disrupt her creative process:

   "the men outside in orange vests and hard white skies, strapped over the heads, started up their jackhammering D."
   — Lena Moses-Schmitt [Poem excerpt]

   Jackson interprets this as a metaphor for the constant distractions and pressures that modern life imposes on an individual striving for creative expression.

2. The Struggle with Expression:
   The poem captures the frustration of failed attempts to articulate profound thoughts:

   "All the wise and gorgeous things I want the skill to say began to circle the drain."
   — Lena Moses-Schmitt [Poem excerpt]

   This line resonates with the universal challenge of translating complex emotions and ideas into structured language.

3. Fear and Self-Identity:
   A significant portion of the poem delves into fears of self-discovery and acceptance:

   "Do you think of harming yourself? No, but I have other desires. I'm afraid. What if you're someone you don't want me to know?"
   — Lena Moses-Schmitt [Poem excerpt]

   Jackson discusses how these lines reflect the poet's internal conflicts and the anxiety of presenting one's true self to the future.

4. Moments of Simple Beauty:
   Amidst the turmoil, the poem finds solace in small, beautiful moments:

   "a few pretty things. A gasp of birds flirting through the brown barcode of trees in the park."
   — Lena Moses-Schmitt [Poem excerpt]

   Jackson highlights how these fleeting glimpses of nature serve as anchors, providing peace and perspective amidst life's chaos.

5. Acceptance and Relinquishment:
   The concluding lines convey a sense of surrender and acceptance:

   "I'm just another person. There is such little use for fear."
   — Lena Moses-Schmitt [Poem excerpt]

   Jackson interprets this as a culmination of the poet's journey towards self-acceptance and the relinquishment of fear, embracing the simplicity of being.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Major Jackson wraps up the episode by reflecting on the profound themes presented in "Dear Future Me (#12)." He commends Lena Moses-Schmitt for her ability to intertwine personal vulnerability with broader existential themes, creating a tapestry that resonates deeply with listeners. Jackson emphasizes the importance of poetry as a medium for both personal introspection and collective understanding, fostering a shared human experience.

"Today’s superb poem makes explicit poetry's relationship to time, selfhood, and metaphor in surprising language that goes beyond performance to a true fullness of heart and spirit."
— Major Jackson [00:26]

Additional Information

For listeners who wish to explore more poems and reflections, The Slowdown offers a rich back catalog featuring works by previous hosts Tracy K. Smith and Ada Limón, as well as guest hosts like Jenny Xie, Brenda Shaughnessy, and Amanda Gorman. The show encourages the community to integrate poetry into their daily routines, whether it's the first thing in the morning or a nightly winding-down ritual.

To support the continuation of such enriching content, listeners are invited to donate at slowdownshow.org/donate and consider gifting Poetry Magazine subscriptions to loved ones, fostering a year-round engagement with contemporary and timeless poetic works.

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Produced in partnership with The Poetry Foundation and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.