I think for many this period has been eye-opening. I hope you find a balance between a steady flow of creativity and the fun of interacting with others.
I really like the initial poem you have there. It all speaks of desire. It all reaches as desire. I think I like this best of the poetry you have here on substack. There is no cleverness about it. Ya know. Clever imagery sometimes gets distracting because it is like the
writing itself is doing this, "don't look at that man behind the curtain!" thing and self consciously self satisfied at the same time. I feel like telling them, "my dear don't strain yourself so." So yes, I have a profound appreciation for writing that sounds like something you just said as you were leaving, AND is profound at the same time. Effortless I guess one could say.
But then you seem to produce exceptional writing when working under constraints, as with sonnets, villanells, etc. So maybe the blank page challenged you.
Thank you. I've always tried to write accesible poetry. One thought that's always in my head: How can we call it Native American literature if Natives aren't reading it? Also, I'm not interested in only being read by other poets/professors. I'd like a more general audience.
I can not move after being destroyed by THE BUSINESS OF FANCY DANCING...Your FIRST book. Comes to my mind, that had you never written another dream after that book, it would have been ok.
Pandemic or no, a dry spell in your creative output at this point (A or B or politics) in time, seems almost like a good thing, ‘while waiting for something to happen’.
Sherman, for this note on the blank page & COVID I am thankful ... I started a weekly "Pandemic Journal" in early January 2020 ... I think I should quit it now, but I can't, partly because every Tuesday, now, I "reminisce" about the pandemic, your note hit that nerve. --CX
I understand and empathize with the fallow. I’ve been fallow for awhile in regard to actual writing. It’s ok, though, because as you know, fallow is the rest and renewal of the soil.
Hardcore. For you and for Annie below, who opines that baseball is all "chopping the air", an excellent article today about the mental aspects of the game as portrayed by one of the GOATS.
Creativity is shy and sly and not in-your-face at comedy clubs and fundraisers. That's for the bold and the planners and the preconceived. Poetry is self-effacing and crouching in the alcoves and the crannies and you'll happen upon glimmers and doodles amid the dust and crinkled letters stuffed in an old shoebox in the hall closet. Bright lights and glittery throngs destroy it. Major League Baseball is anathema, all speed and thrust and chopping the air. Retrieve the bashful corners and find your words. You haven't lost your quiddity-- look aslant.
crosswords don't sound very interesting. Or challenging. Or very inspiring. Or rewarding. But it does sound restful and peaceful. Is there a way you could find rest and peace right now, without giving up so to speak? That is a question for you to answer or not but it might be interesting to figure out. Without quitting altogether. A week isn't very long.
Oh, dang, that's a feature that I forgot to turn off! There is an automatic audio transcription of any post. I couldn't record today because of house construction on our street.
Okay just don’t let it happen again. ;) It was a terrific read anyways! You have a great voice for speaking!! I read many of your books but listened to one or two on audio and it was a real treat!
What makes you stand out for me is your honesty, integrity, ability to be present with yourself. What does staring at a blank page for a week feel/sound/look like? I really want to know. You are not my close friend or lover but you are my close poet.
I think for many this period has been eye-opening. I hope you find a balance between a steady flow of creativity and the fun of interacting with others.
I really like the initial poem you have there. It all speaks of desire. It all reaches as desire. I think I like this best of the poetry you have here on substack. There is no cleverness about it. Ya know. Clever imagery sometimes gets distracting because it is like the
writing itself is doing this, "don't look at that man behind the curtain!" thing and self consciously self satisfied at the same time. I feel like telling them, "my dear don't strain yourself so." So yes, I have a profound appreciation for writing that sounds like something you just said as you were leaving, AND is profound at the same time. Effortless I guess one could say.
But then you seem to produce exceptional writing when working under constraints, as with sonnets, villanells, etc. So maybe the blank page challenged you.
Thank you. I've always tried to write accesible poetry. One thought that's always in my head: How can we call it Native American literature if Natives aren't reading it? Also, I'm not interested in only being read by other poets/professors. I'd like a more general audience.
I can not move after being destroyed by THE BUSINESS OF FANCY DANCING...Your FIRST book. Comes to my mind, that had you never written another dream after that book, it would have been ok.
Pandemic or no, a dry spell in your creative output at this point (A or B or politics) in time, seems almost like a good thing, ‘while waiting for something to happen’.
Those first poems almost feel like the work of another person. I was only 21 when I wrote this poem.
Understood.
Go with the flow, Sherman! The river of life will take you where you need to go... loved this article, by the way, and the poem is promising... Linda
Sherman, for this note on the blank page & COVID I am thankful ... I started a weekly "Pandemic Journal" in early January 2020 ... I think I should quit it now, but I can't, partly because every Tuesday, now, I "reminisce" about the pandemic, your note hit that nerve. --CX
I think the intensity of the pandemic might have created instant nostalgia.
When the storm quietens
The lichen will fall to earth
And break out in silence
That's lovely!
I understand and empathize with the fallow. I’ve been fallow for awhile in regard to actual writing. It’s ok, though, because as you know, fallow is the rest and renewal of the soil.
Thanks, Geraldine.
Cheers to the Mariners! It's been a good year for my Cardinals also. But isn't writers block just an opportunity to play Stratomatic baseball online?
I still play Stratomatic with the real cards and boards!
Hardcore. For you and for Annie below, who opines that baseball is all "chopping the air", an excellent article today about the mental aspects of the game as portrayed by one of the GOATS.
https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/the-mainstay-yadier-molina-outwitted-outworked-opponents-in-legendary-cardinals-career/article_62182e76-a144-5a04-8225-3258181920e6.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage
Molina!
Molina!
Creativity is shy and sly and not in-your-face at comedy clubs and fundraisers. That's for the bold and the planners and the preconceived. Poetry is self-effacing and crouching in the alcoves and the crannies and you'll happen upon glimmers and doodles amid the dust and crinkled letters stuffed in an old shoebox in the hall closet. Bright lights and glittery throngs destroy it. Major League Baseball is anathema, all speed and thrust and chopping the air. Retrieve the bashful corners and find your words. You haven't lost your quiddity-- look aslant.
I can relate to not seeing what I'm supposed to see, not so much in nature but in relationships. Looking at your earlier work will be enjoyable.
It sounds like a good time to emerge from your cocoon. Have you considered revisiting your poem that was published in "First Fish First People"?
I don't remember what poem that is!
The Place Where Ghosts of Salmon Jump. In think it's also on a plaque or statue at the Spokane river but I've not seen that.
crosswords don't sound very interesting. Or challenging. Or very inspiring. Or rewarding. But it does sound restful and peaceful. Is there a way you could find rest and peace right now, without giving up so to speak? That is a question for you to answer or not but it might be interesting to figure out. Without quitting altogether. A week isn't very long.
You'll get to see how I pull myself out of it! I have confidence in my brain. And crossword puzzles are one of favorite pastimes.
Ha ha. To me being fallow is normal. When someone is on all the time, I wonder about them.
Um...er...um...er...
don’t opine
just pine
What did you do during that year?
A lot of crossword puzzles!
Why is the audio for this not in your Sherman Alexie voice?
Oh, dang, that's a feature that I forgot to turn off! There is an automatic audio transcription of any post. I couldn't record today because of house construction on our street.
I was wondering about the bot voice, too! Ha! Thank you for explaining!
Okay just don’t let it happen again. ;) It was a terrific read anyways! You have a great voice for speaking!! I read many of your books but listened to one or two on audio and it was a real treat!
Hahahahaha
What makes you stand out for me is your honesty, integrity, ability to be present with yourself. What does staring at a blank page for a week feel/sound/look like? I really want to know. You are not my close friend or lover but you are my close poet.
It sometimes feels like I'll never write anything again. It's scary.
Have you ever felt like this before? I mean that you would never write again?
About 12 years ago, I thought it was over. I was blocked for almost a year.