
1535: Goldfish by Francisco Márquez
From The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily by American Public Media
June 11, 2026 · 6 min
About this episode
This episode features the poem 'Goldfish' by Francisco Márquez, reflecting on death and the human instinct to witness.
Today’s poem is Goldfish by Francisco Márquez. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Diannely Antigua writes… “When it comes to death, we often have a need to witness. It is our human instinct to see and touch, to hear their silence. I remember wondering why it was called a wake service and learning that it comes from staying awake, from keeping vigil over the body before burial. We’re keeping the dead company as they transition, much like we would with a friend at a train station before they move across the country.” This show is supported by gifts from listeners. Support The Slowdown with a donation and get access to the sponsor-free version of The Slowdown today. Slowdownshow.org/donate
People in this episode
Guest: Diannely Antigua
Topics covered
- poetry
- death
- vigil
- human instinct
- transition
Keywords
- Goldfish
- Francisco Márquez
- poetry
- death
- vigil
- human instinct
- transition
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: American Public Media
More episodes of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
- 1536: i love you to the moon & by Chen Chen · June 12, 2026 · 6 min
- 1534: There Is Always Space in My Life for More Life by Natasha Rao · June 10, 2026 · 6 min
- 1533: The Good Life by Tracy K. Smith · June 9, 2026 · 5 min
- 1532: Blue by Laura Villareal · June 8, 2026 · 5 min
- 1531: Cheap Magic by Arielle Hebert · June 5, 2026 · 6 min
- 1530: At the End of a Good Week, the Van Broke Down by Mary Ardery · June 4, 2026 · 6 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily podcast page.