From playfulness to pain in a few lines. I am amazed at how Indian People are able to find room for patriotism in your hearts. How can you honor that which so often burned you?
Oh, that was a good zinger at the end. Like a gut punch. Yesterday, I thought a lot about what 1776 meant to the original inhabitants. And how Montana is just beginning to reconciling documents to children at boarding schools. I've not said the pledge or sang the national anthem in some years as my act of civil disobedience to my dominant culture and acknowledgement of trauma inflicted as they are said or sang. No words.
This ‘July 4 wrap up’ poem took me between a memory and a dream and, left me with a chuckle. Before we had (and do have) sensitive dogs, loved fire works. [narcissistic aside]- Tossing Black Cats onto ant piles reminds me of my putting M-80’s in Gerber Baby Food bottles to toss near alligator gar fish (a species so tough, supposedly the gar fish scales were used as arrow points by the Seminoles); even M-80’s just stunned them. And that then there was a twilight tale of a neighbor(adult) handing me a 15 ball Roman Candle which after three poots, blew up in my hand.
I offer simply a general thank you to all those whose comments I read here. Some days I wonder about the future of this American experiment but seeing your thoughts gives me hope that there are too many of that will not be silenced and will not only testify that this country will live on but are willing to make that happen. God Bless America and all of us who are still fighting for it.
It still surprises me how our lives have been lived in parallel in spite of the apparent divergences. I grew up lighting firecrackers that we got from Wyoming, specifically at the "town" of Freedom, which was just over the border and sold fireworks which were illegal in Idaho. I remember lighting "ladyfingers" and holding onto them when they exploded and feeling the slight pain that made me feel powerful. For the past ten years I have been lighting firecrackers I got from Indian stands on the 15 Interstate in Nevada before the NVHP began ambushing travelers as they left the trailers. Damn. Well, at least the local tribes got the money. I have no doubt those fireworks were eventually lit in the yards of the NVHP who confiscated them. God bless America. After all these years the smell of gunpowder still seals my feeling of belonging to this American experiment.
I remember I once wrote a paper in college expressing that the Rez was so much more than playing slots, buying cheap cigarettes and marked up fireworks… we had basketball.
how true this rings---and deeply felt as i am engaged in the remodel of an auction bought property in the quiet somehow resolute and enduring Keweenaw Bay Indian Community of Baraga , Mi. The discovery of your writing and impetus is fateful it would seem. Thanks
Well, yes--you nailed it again! Must confess, former god boy & Eagle Scout that I am/was, I find it hard to be properly patriotic in these Trumpian days. I've a cousin who lost an eye to fireworks, which is especially sad as he wanted to be in the Air Force as his dad was during the Korean War.
Starting mellow and ending with the hard truth, love it, as always. The Muckleshoot Rez will be a "war" zone tonight and buried in firework's paper tomorrow. Happy 4TH.
Here in Wilkeson they started at about 4pm and ended surprisingly early at about 12:30am. I must not be extremely patriotic, I always think about where that money is really needed.
PS. My “Indian” fireworks are slightly different exploding in a combination of immigrant stories, memories of childhood Diwalis and gratitude for this country (I know, rather old fashioned). Wishing all a Happy 4th with prosperity and liberty for all ❤️
Ouch!! A painful ending!!
Back after a month offline - a treasure trove of Sherman poems await. I love this one - childhood innocence with a twisting knife that hits the bone.
Thanks, Leigh.
From playfulness to pain in a few lines. I am amazed at how Indian People are able to find room for patriotism in your hearts. How can you honor that which so often burned you?
We also have experienced the benefits. And we are often defending the land itself if not the government that owns the land.
Oh, that was a good zinger at the end. Like a gut punch. Yesterday, I thought a lot about what 1776 meant to the original inhabitants. And how Montana is just beginning to reconciling documents to children at boarding schools. I've not said the pledge or sang the national anthem in some years as my act of civil disobedience to my dominant culture and acknowledgement of trauma inflicted as they are said or sang. No words.
us too.
This ‘July 4 wrap up’ poem took me between a memory and a dream and, left me with a chuckle. Before we had (and do have) sensitive dogs, loved fire works. [narcissistic aside]- Tossing Black Cats onto ant piles reminds me of my putting M-80’s in Gerber Baby Food bottles to toss near alligator gar fish (a species so tough, supposedly the gar fish scales were used as arrow points by the Seminoles); even M-80’s just stunned them. And that then there was a twilight tale of a neighbor(adult) handing me a 15 ball Roman Candle which after three poots, blew up in my hand.
Most of all though, I love your poem.
Fireworks stories! Yes, I have many!
I offer simply a general thank you to all those whose comments I read here. Some days I wonder about the future of this American experiment but seeing your thoughts gives me hope that there are too many of that will not be silenced and will not only testify that this country will live on but are willing to make that happen. God Bless America and all of us who are still fighting for it.
It still surprises me how our lives have been lived in parallel in spite of the apparent divergences. I grew up lighting firecrackers that we got from Wyoming, specifically at the "town" of Freedom, which was just over the border and sold fireworks which were illegal in Idaho. I remember lighting "ladyfingers" and holding onto them when they exploded and feeling the slight pain that made me feel powerful. For the past ten years I have been lighting firecrackers I got from Indian stands on the 15 Interstate in Nevada before the NVHP began ambushing travelers as they left the trailers. Damn. Well, at least the local tribes got the money. I have no doubt those fireworks were eventually lit in the yards of the NVHP who confiscated them. God bless America. After all these years the smell of gunpowder still seals my feeling of belonging to this American experiment.
I remember I once wrote a paper in college expressing that the Rez was so much more than playing slots, buying cheap cigarettes and marked up fireworks… we had basketball.
Too true, Bro. I envy your college prof who had to read that paper.
Badketball being the pure thing!
how true this rings---and deeply felt as i am engaged in the remodel of an auction bought property in the quiet somehow resolute and enduring Keweenaw Bay Indian Community of Baraga , Mi. The discovery of your writing and impetus is fateful it would seem. Thanks
Thank you.
Well, yes--you nailed it again! Must confess, former god boy & Eagle Scout that I am/was, I find it hard to be properly patriotic in these Trumpian days. I've a cousin who lost an eye to fireworks, which is especially sad as he wanted to be in the Air Force as his dad was during the Korean War.
Lost an eye! There was a fatality on the rez in the 70s. A tragedy.
Starting mellow and ending with the hard truth, love it, as always. The Muckleshoot Rez will be a "war" zone tonight and buried in firework's paper tomorrow. Happy 4TH.
Some folks in my Seattle neighborhood lit some serious fireworks arsenal last night.
Here in Wilkeson they started at about 4pm and ended surprisingly early at about 12:30am. I must not be extremely patriotic, I always think about where that money is really needed.
Beautiful!
PS. My “Indian” fireworks are slightly different exploding in a combination of immigrant stories, memories of childhood Diwalis and gratitude for this country (I know, rather old fashioned). Wishing all a Happy 4th with prosperity and liberty for all ❤️
I also celebrate the day. The dualities!
Always. Life would be boring otherwise - like it is for those with certainties.
Those final lines are quite the heavy blow. Powerful as always, Sherman!
Thank you, Justin.
Hi Sherman, I just wanted to bring a potential spam account to your attention. Please see below!
They are banished now!
Happy to hear it! I’ve notice an uptick in spam accounts lately.
‘Love the Alexieian complexity of a sparkler…
Ha! Thank you!
The cruel kids ... and the kind kids.
Yup...