1363: [encore] Notes on Beachgrass by Yong-Yu Huang

Maggie Smith reflects on her connection to the ocean, despite living in Ohio, expressing how it evokes feelings of gratitude and wonder. She describes the ocean as a vast, humbling presence that reminds her of her place in the world. The imagery of the beach, with pelicans and the sound of waves, serves as a backdrop for her thoughts on existence and the beauty of nature.

In this episode, Smith shares a poem titled "Notes on Beach Grass" by Yong Yu Huang, which explores themes of nature, memory, and emotional weight. The poem presents vivid scenes of the beach and personal reflections, capturing the complexity of human experience through its rich imagery. Smith emphasizes the poem's originality and depth, encouraging listeners to appreciate the layers of meaning found within it.

Today’s poem is Notes on Beachgrass by Yong-Yu Huang.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “Today’s poem offers us images we often find in poetry: the ocean, the moon, dreams, a mother, a wound. But it offers us these elements in such a profoundly original and moving way. I couldn’t read this poem just once—I had to read it several times, picking up new treasures with each reading, like walking along the same stretch of beach at different times of day and finding new shells.”

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