961: Nocturne

The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily

American Public Media

Arts, Performing Arts

4.8 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 8 September 2023

⏱️ 7 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today’s poem is Nocturne by Oliver Baez Bendorf.

The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Major writes… “In young adulthood, long before children, jobs, home ownership, my evenings felt like a blank canvas of cultural and spiritual possibility. I felt a joyous connection to all around me, artists and writers and musicians, thinkers and believers, both living and departed, alive in their pursuit of beauty and knowledge. I was starving and knew it. On South Street, one bookstore stayed open till midnight. Many nights I closed it down, sitting in a corner reading a paperback, a beer in my pocket or a cup of coffee in my hand. At some point, I knew I needed to make art, to move to celebrating the world’s loveliness. I was perpetually hungry to do so.”

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Transcript

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0:00.0	We hope you enjoy this episode of The Slowdown.
0:04.0	For more updates from us, subscribe to our newsletter at SlowdownShow.org.
0:11.0	Hi, it's Slowdown Producer Micah.
0:13.0	Can I let you in on a surprise for Major?
0:15.0	We're celebrating the publication of his collection of new and selected homes, Razzle Dazzle.
0:21.0	Help me congratulate Major on this exciting milestone
0:24.0	by signing a virtual card from our community of Slowdown listeners.
0:28.0	Head to SlowdownShow.org slash card right now to say congrats.
0:32.0	Again, that's SlowdownShow.org slash card.
0:41.0	I'm Major Jackson, and this is The Slowdown.
0:47.0	In Young adulthood, long before children, jobs, home ownership,
1:00.0	my evenings felt like a blank canvas of cultural and spiritual possibility.
1:06.0	During the day, I followed and delivered on my expected routines.
1:11.0	I went to work, I completed tasks, I paid my rent and utilities.
1:16.0	I might even have checked in on family.
1:19.0	But then came the hours for which spontaneity and exploration ruled.
1:25.0	I went to dance clubs, jazz concerts, art galleries, independent films,
1:30.0	bookstore readings, coffee houses, underground hip-hop battles.
1:35.0	I made new friendships and deepened old ones.
1:39.0	I catered to my senses.
1:41.0	I was omnivorous.
1:43.0	I ate cuisines new to my palate at restaurants suggested by friends.
	...

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