Wow! How did I miss this story? All these layers upon layers upon layers of dreamlike twisting of reality driven by loves and histories and hurt and untold dreams. Isn't this immensity of emotions and mis-remembered dreams, the only reality we can be sure of?
A mathematician I used to know was once described as being able to give mathematical explanations that were lies more truthful than the truth. I don't know why I wrote this, it's impossible for me to explain how a mathematical lie can be more truthful than the truth. Except...which brother image is more truthful? The one who could get three halfcourt shots, or the one who weighs 300lbs ?
The heart has no difficulty in holding onto opposing truths. (I have to be careful here, since we’re living in times when facts are twisted beyond recognition, and that’s definitely not something to condone.) But yes.
I have the theory that the people, whether liberal or conservative, who accuse others of distributing “misinformation” tend to send out plenty of their own misinformation. Yes, misinformation is real but I feel hit by from all directions at once.
Hey Sherman--Buddy Levy here. We played hoops (on opposite teams) at the Hoopalooza. I'm a friend of Kim Barnes and have been teaching at WSU for years. Used your piece in my nonfiction writing class today and we wondered ... was Tender Mercies written for this piece, or before? Great stuff here and it sparked an engaging conversation about the nature of memory, "facts," truth (in fiction, nonfiction and elsewhere) and ... John Deere riding lawnmowers. Best to you--Buddy
Sometimes the only way to get at Truth is through fiction--and nothing is as true as tender mercies. I sometimes think one great underlying danger of our age is the incapacity to live into the uncertainty and Mystery. The True Believers are killing us--and the planet. Thank you!
Easily one of your best, and most relatable (for me) yet. My eldest daughter is a Moth storyteller who entwines lies and truth in front of an audience. And her stories of the crimes perpetrated by her brothers, sister, and her make me wonder if I slept through their youth. But her siblings whisper that she must be crazy, and that makes me laugh.
Loved the misremembering. My sister and I definitely have different memories of events in our youth. Loved it all, then, you hit me with the last poem and made me cry. Thank you Sherman.
The poems about your father always hit me in the feels! I love the misremembering of the origin of the riding mower. It fits bc a heroic machine needs a great origin story!
I read the introduction. Yes, our minds are fascinating and easily fooled. I remain boggled that courts can still sentence people to prison and/or to death only based on eyewitness testimony. We’re all terrible eyewitnesses!
You will be tenderly missed by me, and I don’t even know you. I loved that movie about the man who rode his lawn ower across country. I saw it at least twice. I always tell you that I love the music at the beginning and end. I live for your poems and stories. Take my mind off Ukraine for a short while. I don’t care about how expensive gas is. Get a life. Take a bus or walk.😷🌻
Wow! How did I miss this story? All these layers upon layers upon layers of dreamlike twisting of reality driven by loves and histories and hurt and untold dreams. Isn't this immensity of emotions and mis-remembered dreams, the only reality we can be sure of?
A mathematician I used to know was once described as being able to give mathematical explanations that were lies more truthful than the truth. I don't know why I wrote this, it's impossible for me to explain how a mathematical lie can be more truthful than the truth. Except...which brother image is more truthful? The one who could get three halfcourt shots, or the one who weighs 300lbs ?
Maybe two opposing ideas and images can be true at the same time?
The heart has no difficulty in holding onto opposing truths. (I have to be careful here, since we’re living in times when facts are twisted beyond recognition, and that’s definitely not something to condone.) But yes.
I have the theory that the people, whether liberal or conservative, who accuse others of distributing “misinformation” tend to send out plenty of their own misinformation. Yes, misinformation is real but I feel hit by from all directions at once.
I will write a thought-through (is that a word?) reply in the next few hours (or days...) In principle I agree with you...
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us in this way. Appreciate you so much!
Thank you!
Hey Sherman--Buddy Levy here. We played hoops (on opposite teams) at the Hoopalooza. I'm a friend of Kim Barnes and have been teaching at WSU for years. Used your piece in my nonfiction writing class today and we wondered ... was Tender Mercies written for this piece, or before? Great stuff here and it sparked an engaging conversation about the nature of memory, "facts," truth (in fiction, nonfiction and elsewhere) and ... John Deere riding lawnmowers. Best to you--Buddy
Hey, Buddy. Great to hear from you. And thanks for teaching my essay. I did write the poem, “Tender Mercies,” for the essay.
Really powerful poem man. And powerful, poignant piece. Looking forward to your next installment.
Sometimes the only way to get at Truth is through fiction--and nothing is as true as tender mercies. I sometimes think one great underlying danger of our age is the incapacity to live into the uncertainty and Mystery. The True Believers are killing us--and the planet. Thank you!
Yup, the True Believers…
The tender mercies of loving a parent. Beautiful.
Thank you, Renee.
like how you continue to make my tears warm and honest.
Thank you, Vel.
Easily one of your best, and most relatable (for me) yet. My eldest daughter is a Moth storyteller who entwines lies and truth in front of an audience. And her stories of the crimes perpetrated by her brothers, sister, and her make me wonder if I slept through their youth. But her siblings whisper that she must be crazy, and that makes me laugh.
I’m easily the most crazy sibling!
The collation of the cluttered mind leads to many honest liars.
Some of us are hoarders of physical clutter. Some of us are hoarders of spiritual clutter. Some of are hoarders of memory clutter. I’m all three.
Children, on the other hand, are just crazy.
Hahaha
GREAT story, btw.
Thank you!
Loved the misremembering. My sister and I definitely have different memories of events in our youth. Loved it all, then, you hit me with the last poem and made me cry. Thank you Sherman.
Thanks, Steve.
Omigod, this is a fantastic story! I love it!
Thanks, Kathy.
This is one of my favorite entries. I audibly laughed at your Sears incredulity!
Also, your dad reminds me of George Jones getting around on his John Deere once the DUI consequences started catching up with him.
Oh, man! I forgot about George Jones doing that! Now I’m wondering if I fused my father with George Jones!
hopefully not a blood test.
Hahahaha
The poems about your father always hit me in the feels! I love the misremembering of the origin of the riding mower. It fits bc a heroic machine needs a great origin story!
Thank you! That lawnmower is Clark Kent and Superman!
There's a fascinating study of this phenomenon. Our brains are so weird! https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.3758%2FBF03196318.pdf
I read the introduction. Yes, our minds are fascinating and easily fooled. I remain boggled that courts can still sentence people to prison and/or to death only based on eyewitness testimony. We’re all terrible eyewitnesses!
You will be tenderly missed by me, and I don’t even know you. I loved that movie about the man who rode his lawn ower across country. I saw it at least twice. I always tell you that I love the music at the beginning and end. I live for your poems and stories. Take my mind off Ukraine for a short while. I don’t care about how expensive gas is. Get a life. Take a bus or walk.😷🌻
Elena, you are so kind. Thank you.
It's the poets we rely on to make a life worth remembering. Creative license. God depends on it. In fact, God might just be one of those poems.
Is there a driving test to get a creative license?