DeepSummary
In this episode, guest host Leslie Synes shares her experience of living in the small town of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania for a year as a writing fellow at Bucknell University. Despite having the freedom to write without worrying about obligations, she felt isolated and lonely. However, one evening, she decided to watch a movie at the local theater, and sitting in the dark room with strangers, her loneliness peeled off in layers.
Synes then introduces the featured poem, 'Lonely Women' by Choi Seungja, translated by Won-Chung Kim and Cathy Park Hong. The poem humorously portrays different levels of loneliness in women, from those waiting for the phone to ring to those pretending to be asleep when all lovers call them.
The episode ends with a sponsor message from Perry, who expresses his appreciation for the Slowdown's diversity of poets and poems, which he finds uplifting amidst the misinformation and negativity in the world.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Loneliness can be a pervasive feeling, even when one has the freedom and opportunity to pursue their passions.
- Small, intimate experiences, such as watching a movie at a local theater, can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- The featured poem, 'Lonely Women,' explores different levels of loneliness in women through a humorous and relatable lens.
- Poetry can provide a space for reflection and connection, even when addressing difficult emotions like loneliness.
- The Slowdown podcast offers a diverse selection of poets and poems, which can be uplifting and thought-provoking.
- Sponsor messages on the podcast highlight the appreciation and support from listeners for the show's content and mission.
- The episode encourages listeners to engage with poetry as a daily ritual and find moments of calm and inspiration through the featured poems and reflections.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “At the time, all my close friends lived in larger, bustling cities. I regaled them with stories of how blank I felt, not bored but restlessly frozen.“ by Leslie Synes
- “It was there, sitting comfortably in a dark room while staring at an anachronistically large screen, that my loneliness peeled off me in layers, alongside strangers, coupled and lonely all the same.“ by Leslie Synes
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Episode Information
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
American Public Media
6/24/24
Today’s poem is Lonely Women by Choi Seungja, translated by Won-Chung Kim and Cathy Park Hong.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Leslie Sainz writes… "I learned how to enjoy my own company while living in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. One evening, I decided to enter the Campus Theatre, an art-deco movie house known for showing a captivating mix of new releases, classics, and indie films. And it was there, sitting comfortably in a dark room, while staring at an anachronistically large screen, that my loneliness peeled off me in layers, alongside strangers coupled and lonely all the same."
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