36 Comments

Sherman, your poem made me cry, it is so true and so soft, in a way. It is so sweet to read your vulnerability. Pain and anger are gone, and something too deep for me to pretend to "describe it"

is there. I am so glad you have come home in your life to a marriage that you deserve. You don't need to wonder about love anymore, and for that I am overjoyed.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Mary.

Expand full comment

You are sure welcome., Sherman

Expand full comment

Beautiful. The love radiates from it. Deep love. I like that. Congratulations. On this poem and the love.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Aug 12, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

So true!

Expand full comment

in bed, separated from the disarray of the world. Absolutely love that. I have always felt a separation from here and now lying in bed. Thanks

Expand full comment
author

I had to concentrate when I read that aloud. It’s almost a tongue twister.

Expand full comment

"tender tandem" = love it!

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Yes! gorgeous

Expand full comment
author

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Karen : You know, I'm kind of a freak myself.

Billy : I never really thought of myself as a freak. But, I love to freak.

Expand full comment
author

Hahahahahaha

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Smokin’ in a quiet sort of way.

Expand full comment
author

Hahahahahaha

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Charming and romantic. Good for you two.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

I feel the sweetness and warmth here but I never analyze intimate love poetry dedicated to an individual, although I feel the universality. It seems too private and I don't like to intrude.

I'm glad you are with Diane and can write such a poem after 28 years.

She has great compassion and wisdom in her lovely face. Hold her deep and close.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you.

Expand full comment

The opening music is a nice touch.

Every author needs a cluttered book space. As a reader, I would appreciate a photo of the place where you most often compose. You can understand a great deal about an author's mind by seeing an unstaged photo of where they work.

Expand full comment
author

I’m circumspect about certain stuff in my professional and personal life. I’ve been very successful in critical and commercial terms and I worry about both types of success. One feeds arrogance and laziness and the other feeds…laziness and arrogance! I am wary of commercializing myself. I try to be self-aware. I mean, I’m still a traveling salesman/bard but I want to keep some things secret and sacred. I let the public into my mind but not into my house, ya know? Does that make any sense?

Expand full comment

It does. Our generation suffered from a fear of selling out. From the 60s through the 90s, it was the worst sin. And then suddenly the War on Terror came along and everything was for sale through fear.

One of the things I like most about the consistency of your writing is the forgiveness you express through the pain of whatever subject is under your pen. I think I learned stillness in fictional motion from you. The only other writer who has come close to this for me is Kurt Vonnegut.

Expand full comment
author

Wow, Vonnegut is one of my favorites. Thank you..

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

A lovely testament to commitment and relationship.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Love this beautiful celebration! Are you an amasser or an amasseur?

Thanks for sharing this and the image of your office space which my (dis)organizational style can truly appreciate.

Expand full comment
author

Amasseur! Hahahaha

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

"my love, after 55 years......" TRUTH!!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Jeanne!

Expand full comment
Aug 10, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Beautiful.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Freddy.

Expand full comment