90 Comments
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Georgena Felicia's avatar

The gift of unburdening another's pain, to include your own while you're at it, a rare blessing.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you.

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Theresa Griffin Kennedy's avatar

As we get older, it all goes back to that, our perception of ourselves, recognizing our imperfections and then wondering how our children or child will deal with the humanness of what we are... A lovely poem...I've published one book of poetry and am in the process of slowly putting together my second. It sure does take time though...

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

I too am putting together a new poetry book.

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Theresa Griffin Kennedy's avatar

Well, I have most of your books so I’ll have to buy it!!

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Rita's avatar

Word sleuth you are. You express what no one else does. And being a male - breath taking

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Rita.

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Howard Coombe.'s avatar

Great poem

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Howard.

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David Brunelle's avatar

Oh my. Profoundly beautiful. There can be such strength in vulnerability. This one's going on the fridge!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, David.

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just mud by Ron's avatar

I wrote a letter, read late, not understanding my dad.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Donna.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Sherman. Your gift is extraordinary, thank you for sharing it.

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Josef Lemoine's avatar

This is goddamned divine.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you.

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Blake Nelson's avatar

I know! I should. You write so well about your father/parents. It’s inspiring.

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Patris's avatar

How can anyone enter that hell and then try to make sense of life. They looked through different eyes than the rest of us.

Some recovered enough to find purpose but it took them quite awhile. But by that time they’d terrified their sons.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

True. True.

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Magpie Mama's avatar

Proxy is as close as we get sometimes.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

That is true.

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Nicci Kadilak's avatar

How peacegiving, the idea that we can repent even if not to our flesh and blood victims.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

I wonder how many theologies contain this ceremony.

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Nicci Kadilak's avatar

Glad you’re feeling better!!!

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Becky Spika's avatar

Beautiful and brilliant. Thank you for leading me to the alter.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Becky.

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Kate Bradley's avatar

It is the good who ask for forgiveness. Those who are rooted in evil deny their need. We are careening toward destruction on the wings of this denial.

Thank you, Sherman. You tough our souls.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Kate. Yes, the oxymoron of "wings of this denial."

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A CRONE WITH A BOTTLE. Or two.'s avatar

beautiful.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you.

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