logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
6m 4s

1055: Dancing at The Get Down by Cat Wei

American Public Media
About this episode

Today’s poem is Dancing at The Get Down by Cat Wei.


The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “Recently, my seventy-three-year-old father called to tell me how much fun he had at a local dance club. I was envious. He used to swim daily, but after health challenges, getting on the dancefloor, beneath swirling lights among deep shadows, is his preferred workout. Physical benefits aside, I think he also likes the attention of younger people at his moves. At weddings, family surround him and marvel. Today’s poem exquisitely examines the healing space of the dancefloor, where a purifying circle of joy awaits us.”


Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp

Up next
Today
[encore] 1174: Separation Wall by Naomi Shihab Nye
Today’s poem is Separation Wall by Naomi Shihab Nye.Last spring, we asked our community to submit poems that have helped you slow down in your lives. This week we’re revisiting these selections. Today’s selection was submitted by Meital from Washington, D.C. In this episode, Majo ... Show More
7m 4s
Yesterday
[encore] 1173: Sono by Suji Kwock Kim
Today’s poem is Sono by Suji Kwock Kim. The Slowdown is currently taking a break. Last spring, we asked our community to submit poems that have helped you slow down in your lives. This week we’re revisiting these selections. In this episode, Major writes… “Today’s poem coordinate ... Show More
6m 45s
Jul 8
[encore] 1172: From Blossoms by Li-Young Lee
Today’s poem is From Blossoms by Li-Young Lee. Last spring, we asked our community to submit poems that have helped you slow down in your lives. This week we’re revisiting these selections. Today’s selection was submitted by Candace from North Carolina. This week we’re featuring ... Show More
6m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2021
Ross Gay : Be Holding
Today’s Between the Covers conversation is with the poet Ross Gay about Be Holding, his book-length poem that emerges from a sustained meditation on a mere few seconds of the basketball career of Julius Erving (aka Dr. J). Be Holding is a finalist for this year’s PEN/Jean Stein B ... Show More
2h 1m
Sep 2016
Magic Lessons Ep. 206: "Dancing From the Heart" featuring Amy Purdy
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert advises Penelope, a dance teacher in New Jersey, who wants to create a dance performance to mark her 60th birthday. Even though she’s been dancing her whole life, she’s having trouble finding the courage to pull this off. For expert g ... Show More
1h 17m
Nov 2021
In a powerful memoir, poet Joy Harjo talks about finding her voice and using it
Poet Laureate Joy Harjo says she loved poetry as a kid, but didn't feel like it belonged to her. "It wasn't until I heard Native poets," she tells NPR's Michel Martin, "that I realized that, wow, this is a powerful tool of understanding and affirmation. And I don't know, I just s ... Show More
8m 41s
Feb 2024
#22 Mon fils ! Tu seras Châtaignier - Ray
Châtaignier ! Être Châtaignier de père en fils ;Et pourtant casser les traditions pour devenir soi-même ;C’est ça d’avoir un papa rock ! Créer ses propres feux d’artifice !Mesdames et Messieurs Ray est tout un poème… Lis Tes RaturesLe Podcast Poésie. Aujourd’hui encore, qui sont ... Show More
1h 31m
Jun 2024
#30 Petite bourgeoisie abidjanaise et prolétariat le plus bas - Lisko
Lunettes de soleil, voix grave, suave et feutrée ;Lisko nous raconte son parcours de blédard ;Le rap et journalisme qu'il aime à faire jongler ;Dans une langue et phrasé qu'il érige au rang d'art...Lis Tes Ratures // Le Podcast PoésieAujourd’hui encore, qui sont les gens qui font ... Show More
1h 55m
Dec 2019
Ep 40 Dancing Plague: Worst Dance Party Ever
In 1518 a strange sight could be seen all over the town of Strasbourg. Crowds of people dancing unceasingly, unable to control their movements, seemingly heedless of their blistered and bloodied feet. As the contagious dance grew, so did the body count as the frenzied dancers suc ... Show More
1h 19m
Aug 2022
Poems in Practice and in Theory
Elisa Gabbert, the Book Review's On Poetry columnist, visits the podcast this week to discuss writing about poetry and her own forthcoming collection of poems, her fourth, “Normal Distance.”“When I’m writing what I would call nonfiction or an essay or just pure prose, I’m really ... Show More
43m 26s
Apr 2023
Saying More with Less: Natalie Bell and Glenn North
We hear stories about poetry and how it can bring people together. This episode is hosted by Keighly Baron. Storytellers: Natalie Bell - Orthodontia and a high school poetry reading lead to awkwardness. Glenn North - Feeling despondent about moving back to his hometown of Kansas ... Show More
21m 7s
Jul 2023
#14 Face au Chaos, restons lucide, baisons - Yas
Du Chaos naissent les plus belles fleurs ;De ses voyages, elle a fait force ;Mesdames et messieurs Yas est d'une fureur ;Dont les mots brûlent d'un feu féroce... Lis Tes Ratures, Le Podcast Poésie. Aujourd’hui encore, qui sont les gens qui font vivre la Poésie ?Lis Tes Ra ... Show More
57m 57s
Jan 2024
Akram Khan: the poignant story of a man who found his voice through dance
Akram’s rich career includes performing at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, collaborating with artists Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley, and choreographing tours and videos for the likes of Kylie Minogue and Florence + the Machine. He was awarded an MBE for services to ... Show More
44m 41s