[encore] 961: Nocturne by Oliver Baez Bendorf

Summary

Summary of [Encore] 961: "Nocturne" by Oliver Baez Bendorf

Podcast Information

• Title: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
• Host: Major Jackson
• Episode: [Encore] 961: "Nocturne" by Oliver Baez Bendorf
• Release Date: August 1, 2025
• Description: Hosted by Major Jackson, "The Slowdown" offers daily moments of poetry and reflection, guiding listeners through a shared journey of self-discovery and appreciation of the world's beauty through verse.

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Introduction

In this encore episode, Major Jackson revisits a beloved installment of "The Slowdown," offering listeners a chance to experience one of his favorite moments from his tenure as host. This retrospective not only highlights the enduring impact of poetry but also underscores the show's commitment to fostering introspection and connection through carefully selected works.

Notable Quote:

"Over the past few years, I've had the great privilege of sharing poetry with you and offering a daily moment to pause and slow down." (01:21)

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Reflection on Young Adulthood

Major Jackson delves into a heartfelt narration that captures the essence of young adulthood—a period marked by exploration, spontaneity, and the quest for personal identity. He paints a vivid picture of balancing daily responsibilities with the pursuit of cultural and spiritual fulfillment. This segment resonates with listeners who recall their own journeys of self-discovery, highlighting the universal nature of seeking meaning and connection.

Notable Quotes:

"In young adulthood, long before children, jobs, home ownership, my evenings felt like a blank canvas of cultural and spiritual possibility." (01:50)

"I was starving and knew it. On south street, one bookstore stayed open till midnight. Many nights I closed it down, sitting in a corner reading a paperback, a beer in my pocket or a cup of coffee in my hand." (03:12)

These reflections emphasize the importance of embracing diverse experiences—ranging from dance clubs and art galleries to deepening friendships and savoring new cuisines—as pathways to a richer, more fulfilling life.

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Reading of "Nocturne" by Oliver Baez Bendorf

The core of the episode features the poignant poem "Nocturne" by Oliver Baez Bendorf. Through its evocative imagery and rhythmic flow, the poem encapsulates themes of transformation, connection, and the intricate dance between the self and the surrounding world.

Excerpt from "Nocturne":

"I freefall to evening moon that unfurls like a simple mariposa, marbled and flamboyant seed I felt so much pressure to be abundant." (05:21)

"Some temples don't feel sinister God is Change me at 17 stitching my wet way upstream Arroyo another wrinkle in the gold mine at dawn." (05:45)

These lines illustrate the poet’s internal struggles and aspirations, portraying a journey through emotional landscapes and the quest for self-definition amidst external pressures.

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Analysis and Insights

Major Jackson provides a thoughtful analysis of "Nocturne," drawing connections between the poem's narrative and his own experiences of growth and exploration during young adulthood. He highlights how the poem mirrors the relentless pursuit of beauty and understanding, encapsulating the essence of living fully and embracing inevitable change.

Notable Quote:

"Today's poem carries that same energy of self-discovery, inevitable change, and an extravagance of living." (05:58)

Jackson underscores the significance of poetry as a medium for expressing and processing complex emotions, fostering a deeper appreciation for life's multifaceted nature. He encourages listeners to find solace and inspiration in poetry, much like he does, as a means to navigate their own personal journeys.

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Conclusion

This encore episode of "The Slowdown" serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of poetry. By revisiting "Nocturne" and sharing his personal reflections, Major Jackson invites listeners to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in the profound beauty of verse. The episode encapsulates the show's mission to inspire, calm, and engage its audience through the timeless art of poetry.

Final Thought:

"I wander like this." (06:24)

This closing line encapsulates the essence of continual exploration and the enduring quest for meaning, leaving listeners with a sense of openness and curiosity.

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Production Credits

• Written by: Major Jackson
• Produced by: Micah Kilbon
• Music Composed by: Alexis Cuadrado
• Engineering: Josh Savageau
• Associate Producer: Maria Wortel
• Additional Production Help: Susanna Sharpless, James Napoli, Lou Baron, and Nick Ryan
• Executive Producer and Editor: Beth Pearlman
• Executives in Charge of APM Studios: Chandra Kavati, Alex Shaffer, and Joanne Griffith

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Support and Further Engagement

Major Jackson invites listeners to integrate "The Slowdown" into their daily routines—whether it’s during morning coffee, a nature walk, or winding down for the night. For those interested in more poetry and reflection, the show offers a rich back catalog featuring esteemed guest hosts and a diverse range of poetic voices.

To receive daily poems, subscribe at slowdownshow.org and follow on Instagram at @SlowdownShow or Bluesky.

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Timestamp Reference

• Clickable timestamps (e.g., 01:21) are placeholders indicating when specific quotes occur within the episode. In an actual document, these would link to the respective times in the audio.

Transcript

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[Major Jackson]

Hey, it's Major. Over the past few years, I've had the great privilege of sharing poetry with you and offering a daily moment to pause and and slow down. Today we're revisiting one of my favorite episodes from my time on the show.

[Narrator]

I hope you enjoy this selection.

[Major Jackson]

I'm Major Jackson, and this is the.

[Narrator]

Slow in young adulthood, long before children, jobs, home ownership, my evenings felt like a blank canvas of cultural and spiritual possibility. During the day, I followed and delivered on my expected routines. I went to work. I completed tasks. I paid my rent and utilities. I might even have checked in on family. But then came the hours for which spontaneity and exploration ruled. I went to dance clubs, jazz concerts, art galleries, independent films, bookstore readings, coffee houses, underground hip hop battles. I made new friendships and deepened old ones. I catered to my senses. I was omnivorous. I ate cuisines new to my palate.

[Major Jackson]

At restaurants suggested by friends after a.

[Narrator]

Modern dance concert or performance art show. My body was full of the sweetness of Korean kimchi and Spanish paellas and the fire of Indian vindaloos and Szechuan hot pots. I wandered with no sense of destination.

[Major Jackson]

There was no planning or scheduling, just.

[Narrator]

Whatever the city I was in had to offer me at that moment. It was communion with the world. I lived by the phrase. On a whim, I enjoyed walking to the next adventure, down alleys where shadows ruled, where car lights and street lamps did not reach.

[Major Jackson]

When I passed through a dark door.

[Narrator]

And music entered inside my chest as a bass thump, all the better. The experience was like being in the throes of research, feeling myself grow from experiences that cracked me into a wholeness in which there was no separation of body and mind, just the music of living. Desire and openness seemed essential, and I felt I could go on in this state. I felt a joyous connection to all around me, artists and writers and musicians, thinkers and believers, both living and departed, alive in their pursuit of beauty and knowledge. I was starving and knew it. On south street, one bookstore stayed open till midnight. Many nights I closed it down, sitting in a corner reading a paperback, a beer in my pocket or a cup of coffee in my hand. At some point I knew I needed to make art, to move to celebrating the world's loveliness. I was perpetually hungry to do so. Today's poem carries that same energy of self discovery, inevitable change, and an extravagance of living. Nocturne by Oliver Baez Bendorf Crepuscular I freefall to evening moon that unfurls like a simple mariposa, marbled and flamboyant seed I felt so much pressure to be abundant. I plead for something in green fields extravagant what temples trace mosquitoes of this embrace Sentient filaments and every strand astonished by a canopy of decomposing craft, Even the queer lattice when I want to cry another noche Like a fringe star I pull amorphous beasts back into organs. Some temples don't feel sinister God is Change me at 17 stitching my wet way upstream Arroyo another wrinkle in the gold mine at dawn the veil tessellates love bright love bright lock lily oil. Even then I kept busy with all this traffic. That's why I wander like this.

[Major Jackson]

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 and find us on Instagram at SlowdownShow and Bluesky SlowdownShow.org the Slowdown is written by me, Major Jackson. It is produced by Micah Kilbon. Our music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado, engineering by Josh Savageau. Our associate producer is Maria Wortel. Additional production help by Susanna Sharpless, James Napoli, Lou Baron, and Nick Ryan. Our executive producer and editor is Beth Pearlman. Our executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandra Kavati, Alex Shaffer, and Joanne Griffith.

[Micah Kilbon]

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 americanpublicmedia.org action to learn how you can help.