The slowdown is supported by W. W. Norton and Company,

publishers of Poetry Unbound by Padreck Ottumah,

a poetry anthology that offers immersive reflections, keen insights, and personal anecdotes on 50 powerful poems.

Focusing mainly on poets writing today, Poetry Unbound engages with a diverse array of voices that includes

Aida Lamone, Ilea Kaminsky, Margaret Atwood, Ocean Vong, Lally Long soldier, and Reginald Wayne Betts.

Poetry Unbound, now in paperback. I'm Major Jackson and this is the slowdown.

And this is the slowdown.

With elections nearing, I wonder how many voters are entrenched in their views. Who among the electorate is swayable?

Every election these days feels like an episode of Game of Thrones.

And the voter who wears their political opinions like Chain Mail,

what do they need to hear in order to pierce the armor of their worldview?

Informed as it is by a life of political indoctrination and social engineering. I'd like to believe that I am the sort of person who is

open to differing ideas. When presented with well-reasoned arguments and irrefutable support,

I'd like to believe I am able to change my thoughts on any number of topics.

I believe I carry this attitude beyond political issues and into my private and work life.

However, I know my openness is more aspirational.

This idealized portrait of myself, I admit, has its limitations.

Some topics are unshakably emotional. I don't think anyone could say anything

to shake certain fixed beliefs. For example, the need for gender equity and the need for gun control.

The speaker in today's poem survives by an adherence to their values, but also by a

willingness to adopt new codes to risk new experiences to take on new attitudes.

Mercy, Me by Olatundi Osanaki.

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