I used your writings to teach my students when I was a teacher. Now, I’m using it to write l letters to my son. This poem really inspired me to write to him about my own mortality- sometimes I fear not being able to see all of it through. Thank you, Mr. Alexie.
Hey Sherman! It always surprises me when you come up with something so sparse. Because you're so prolific with your writing. An almost haiku? The middle and last lines are off by only one syllable each. And I'm still unsure on whether the subject matter conforms to nature. But then I always say rules were made to be broken. My undoing. And it is quite a lovely almost haiku. This is a good transition point for this: Sherman, this is Pauline! I sent you an email to an address listed on your webpage. But I never heard back from you. So I have begun to question whether you received it. And I've lost all your contact info. I need to speak to you. I don't think this is a good format to disclose in, so... My email is paulistar@gmail.com.
This poem is making me think, and i'm just not sure. I helped carry my father's coffin last month. It was an unexpected honor and responsibility, but his suffering the last few years felt like it would kill ME if it didn't end soon. So I guess I wish to leave my daughter while she is still youthful enough to celebrate and mourn me, and then enjoy the rest of her life.
Mm. Dig this. Was just talking to my mother earlier today. She pointed out that her parents had passed by the time she was my age. It made me glad I’m able to “age together” with my mom.
Thank you for this. It calls to mind another consideration of familial transition, related to what a friend said to me when I was devastated by my father’s sudden death when I was 29 and he was only 61. “At least it happened in the right order.”
I used your writings to teach my students when I was a teacher. Now, I’m using it to write l letters to my son. This poem really inspired me to write to him about my own mortality- sometimes I fear not being able to see all of it through. Thank you, Mr. Alexie.
https://open.substack.com/pub/raisingmyles/p/just-in-case-god-pulls-the-plug-and?r=1vqume&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Gorgeous
Thank you!
I hope so too.
When I die, I hope my sons read Alexie.
Thank you.
Hey Sherman! It always surprises me when you come up with something so sparse. Because you're so prolific with your writing. An almost haiku? The middle and last lines are off by only one syllable each. And I'm still unsure on whether the subject matter conforms to nature. But then I always say rules were made to be broken. My undoing. And it is quite a lovely almost haiku. This is a good transition point for this: Sherman, this is Pauline! I sent you an email to an address listed on your webpage. But I never heard back from you. So I have begun to question whether you received it. And I've lost all your contact info. I need to speak to you. I don't think this is a good format to disclose in, so... My email is paulistar@gmail.com.
This is amazingly endearing! ♥️
Thank you.
You’re welcome🙂
That's a fine ambition right there! Maybe grandchildren or even great-grands!
!!!!
This poem is making me think, and i'm just not sure. I helped carry my father's coffin last month. It was an unexpected honor and responsibility, but his suffering the last few years felt like it would kill ME if it didn't end soon. So I guess I wish to leave my daughter while she is still youthful enough to celebrate and mourn me, and then enjoy the rest of her life.
Those are vital considerations. I think of an older relative who just kept asking when it would end.
That was my Dad's constant question - it was heartbreaking!
But I also want to say thank you for your writing and your poems!
And you're the singer, right? I wrote you a fan letter years ago!
Yes, that's me! Thank you Sherman, did I ever answer? (I've moved around a lot including email addresses...)
Yes, you did. It had to be 15 years ago or so, I think.
Yes, to this. But love the comments I've read here, too. As well as your responses.
Thank you, Rebecca.
You have some say in this, you know. Don’t let up on the nachos!
Hahahahahhahahaha
And Eubie Blake (allegedly) at 96:
"If I'd known I was gonna live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."
That's great! Hahahaha
That's a hopeful poem, in its own way.
At the last tangi I went to, Koro ( the grandfather) was carried by his shining twin grandaughters & grandsons...it was beautiful.
Mm. Dig this. Was just talking to my mother earlier today. She pointed out that her parents had passed by the time she was my age. It made me glad I’m able to “age together” with my mom.
profound. wish of a loving parent.
Thank you, Suzan. So happy you're here!
I love this. It has the ring of a proverb from a wise elder.
Thank you. I'm too young to be an elder but too old to play basketball at full speed
Thank you for this. It calls to mind another consideration of familial transition, related to what a friend said to me when I was devastated by my father’s sudden death when I was 29 and he was only 61. “At least it happened in the right order.”
Oh, "the right order." That is a painful and accurate observation.