[encore] 969: Us by Zaffar Kunial

Summary

Summary of Episode [encore] 969: "Us" by Zaffar Kunial

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
• Host/Author: American Public Media
• Description: Guided by Poet Major Jackson, The Slowdown offers daily moments of reflection through poetry, inviting listeners to pause and engage with the world's vastness through the eyes of both emerging and established poets.

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Episode Overview: In this encore episode, released on June 17, 2025, Major Jackson revisits the rich archives of The Slowdown, sharing a cherished episode from his tenure as host. This reflective journey highlights the essence of community and connection, seamlessly blending personal anecdotes with poetic exploration.

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Exploring Community and Connectedness

Rural Vermont Reflections ([01:33]): Major Jackson begins by painting a vivid picture of life in rural Vermont, emphasizing the deep sense of community that defines the area. He reminisces about simple yet profound interactions, such as when drivers acknowledge each other with gestures from behind the wheel.

"One of my favorite moments driving the roads in rural Vermont is when I pass a car or truck and its driver lifts a set of fingers from the steering wheel. It's a neighborly acknowledgment from behind a windshield." ([01:45])

Small Town Essentials ([02:15]): Jackson enumerates the key establishments that anchor the community: a well-stocked grocery store, a library, Big Town Gallery, Maple Soul restaurant, a gas station, and a vibrant village square hosting a popular Farmer's Market. These places serve as hubs for social interaction and cultural exchange.

"Speaking as a writer, though, the true jewel of our town is Sandy's Bakery and Bookstore, where neighbors and friends meet for coffee and breakfast sandwiches and where I find rare first editions." ([04:10])

The Essence of Shared Existence

Philosophical Underpinnings ([05:00]): Delving deeper, Jackson references philosopher Martin Buber’s concept of "I-Thou," illustrating the sacred space of shared existence that fosters mutual understanding and humanity.

"What matters in life is that space between us. Formulated by philosopher Martin Buber as I-Thou, it's a sacred space of shared existence where we feel each other's uniqueness and feel our common humanity." ([05:20])

Poetic Exploration: "Us" by Zaffar Kunial

Introducing the Poem ([05:45]): Transitioning to the featured poem, Jackson introduces "Us" by Zaffar Kunial, highlighting its themes of unity and separation.

"Today's attentive poem fosters a consciousness in which we view our lives as more in relation to each other, as close as two small letters." ([06:00])

Reading the Poem ([06:15] - [07:30]): Jackson reads "Us," capturing its emotional depth and contemplative nature. The poem navigates the complexities of relationships, identity, and the thin line between togetherness and disconnection.

"Us I hope from here on I can say it and though far fetched, it won't be too far wrong." ([07:10])

Reflection on the Poem ([07:35]): Post-reading, Jackson reflects on the poem's resonance with personal experiences of love and loss, emphasizing the universal quest for connection.

"I love to think I could stretch to it Us but the waves therein are too wide for words." ([07:20])

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Closing Thoughts: This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the power of poetry to encapsulate and express the intricate tapestry of human relationships. Through Major Jackson's heartfelt narration and the evocative words of Zaffar Kunial, listeners are invited to contemplate their own connections and the shared journey of existence.

Additional Information: For more daily doses of poetry and reflection, visit slowdownshow.org and follow The Slowdown on Instagram @downdownshow.

Transcript

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[Major Jackson]

Hi there, it's me, Major Jackson. As I transition from my role as host of the Slowdown, we're taking a look through our archive of episodes. With such a deep well of poetry and reflection, it's a pleasure to revisit these moments together. Here's an episode from my time on the show Foreign Jackson and this is the Slowdown. One of my favorite moments driving the roads in rural Vermont is when I pass a car or truck and its driver lifts a set of fingers from the steering wheel. It's a neighborly acknowledgment from behind a windshield. It's a greeting not too dissimilar from my youth, when someone only vaguely known would give a slight head nod as they walked by. That upward lift of the face and tough look from an older teenager was the equivalent of I see you, playa. Sometimes the passing driver will signal their greeting with two fingers, typically the index and forefinger. This sometimes feels more officious a salute. I would worry when a driver only threw up one finger. I couldn't tell if it was a diss or if they were being lazy. The indelible beauty of small town connectedness is one reason I choose to spend part of my year here. We've just one grocery store that is mostly well stocked, a library, an art space with the ironic name Big Town Gallery, a stunning restaurant Maple Soul run by husband wife team Jim and Jen Huntington, a gas station and a village square that hosts our well attended Farmer's Market. On Friday afternoons one can listen to retired PBS film documentary producer Rob Gardner and the band the Peavine Boys entertain townsfolk while buying flowers, organic meats and ceramic art from local artists. Speaking as a writer, though, the true jewel of our town is Sandy's Bakery and Bookstore, where neighbors and friends meet for coffee and breakfast sandwiches and where I find rare first editions. Since moving to the quaint village of Rochester, I come to expect visible signs of welcome everywhere. What matters in life is that space between us. Formulated by philosopher Martin Buber as I thou, It's a sacred space of shared existence where we feel each other's uniqueness and feel our common humanity. Today's attentive poem fosters a consciousness in which we view our lives as more in relation to each other, as close as two small letters Us by Zafar Kuniel if you ask me, Us takes in undulations each wave in the sea, all insides compressed as if from one coast you could reach out to the next. And maybe it's a Midlands thing, but when I was young us equally meant me, says the one Oy you tell us where you're from in the way supporters share the one fate. I being one, am Liverpool no less, cresting the Mexican wave of we or us, a shore like state, two places at once, God knows what's in it and at opposite ends. My heart sunk at separations of us when it comes to us color me unsure. Something in me or it has failed the course I love to think I could stretch to it Us but the waves therein are too wide for words. I hope you get here where I'm coming from. I hope you're with me on this between love and loss where I'd give myself away, Stranded as if the universe is a matter of one stress Us I hope from here on I can say it and though far fetched, it won't be too far wrong. 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 at on Instagram @downdownshow.

[Maika]

Hi everyone, it's Maika, 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.