I'm Adali Mom, and this is The Slowdown.

I've said this before, but perhaps not here on the podcast.

Too many bad X's get poems written about them.

Too many toxic lovers get whole books dedicated to them, whole novels, whole songs,

whole albums, it's absurd.

Artists write more about bad relationships and broken hearts than about good relationships,

friends and family.

I keep thinking that if writers could turn their energy toward writing poems about their

friends, channel it away from their ex-lover who doesn't even read poetry, we'd be better off.

I love a heartbreak poem or a poem that explores the intricacies of hurt.

But I want poems of praise too, poems that can appreciate what it is to be in communion

with others, to be at ease.

I once told a group of students, you know what I think the hardest poem is to write?

A poem of contentedness.

What is it to look around at your life and just, for a second, say, you know what?

I'm doing okay today.

That's a real intense exercise.

I'm not even saying it has to be a happy poem or a joyful poem.

But just a poem that says, I'm okay today.

I was recently listening to Poetry Off the Shelf, a podcast hosted by Helena de Rot.

It's a wonderful show and if you want to listen to poets being interviewed about their

lives and their craft, you should check it out.

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