Slowing down for poetry with Maggie Smith

Poet Maggie Smith once said that a poet’s job is to “lean toward wonder.”

Smith gained fame when her poem “Good Bones” went viral in 2016. She went on to write several best-selling books of poetry and prose. This August, she was named the new host of American Public Media’s poetry podcast, The Slowdown.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with Smith about writing, reading and sharing poetry. They’ll talk about how a good poem can make us pay closer attention to our inner lives and the world around us.

Guest:

• Maggie Smith is a poet, writer, editor and teacher and host of American Public Media’s poetry podcast, The Slowdown. She’s published several best-selling books, including, “Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life,” “Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change,” “Goldenrod” and her memoir, “You Could Make This Place Beautiful.” She lives just outside of Columbus, Ohio.  

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.