75 Comments
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Reena Kapoor's avatar

Please, as you grow

older, don't forget the failed

dreams that ache like a broken

shoulder in the cold.

Wow!!! That got me. ❤️

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Reena.

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Jenny Forrester (she/her)'s avatar

"The Church of Nostalgia" <3

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Mary Kay's avatar

Loved this line also. I go there every once in a while, why is it those hymns are so much better now then when we were living them?

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

That's a good question. The phrase that just popped into my head is "Because we want to go back and make the same mistakes."

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Jenny Forrester (she/her)'s avatar

I think I'm in love with my mistakes, want to believe, too, that I had no other choice but to do what I did. I'm picking up what you're putting down there.

...But also it's just so brilliant. Nostalgia is a church we worship in. Nostalgia as religion. My identity worships at that altar.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

It sounds like our church is Standing Room Only!

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Mary Kay's avatar

LOL...that's a good one! I'm not sure I'd want to go back to make those same mistakes...but I also know I'd never be the person I am without them (or getting through them).

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Thanks for taking us on this journey...

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you!

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Christopher Crabtree's avatar

Spitting in a parking lot…

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Camilla Fogle's avatar

Sitting in a parking lot writing poems is probably a much better thing than snagging devout Catholic girls. Why the Catholic girls, I wonder? I had a thing for boys/men who were short and wore glasses. I thought the glasses meant they were smart. I am now married to a short and balding man who wears glasses. It's like the dog who finally catches a car, what in the heck do you do with it?

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Like a dog who finally catches the car! Hahahahahaha!

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Dee's avatar

Church of nostalgia---love that description!

My belief in this church so heightened after a head injury. I need true faith to pull from my untangled brain!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you!

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Brian jensen's avatar

Wow! But for sure, know Him, love Him and Serve Him here on earth to live with Him forever when the day the shoulder stops hurting.

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

You're the real thing, Sherman. Your words go straight to the heart.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Helia.

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Dr. Joanie Tool's avatar

I had the pleasure of hearing Sherman Alexie play at the Barrymore in Madison, WI decades ago. He has a magical, musical way with words.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Doc! Is that the show where my mother called my cell and I talked to her while I was onstage because it was her birthday?

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Dr. Joanie Tool's avatar

YES!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Ha! That makes me happy.

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

How lovely.

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Monica Nicolau's avatar

"failed dreams that ache like a broken shoulder in the cold"

Wow, there's so much magic in this line. Thank you.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Monica!

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Amy B's avatar

This one got me teary eyed. Beautiful. The nostalgia church services are happening more often every year around here.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Yes, soon enough the services will be daily.

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Carol Leibiger's avatar

Yeah, I've been a regular member since about then. Once I let go of needing to succeed.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Yes, and we add another service with each decade passed.

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Carol Leibiger's avatar

Are there young members of the Church of Nostalgia? What's the age to join?

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

I think membership admittance probably starts somewhere in the 30s.

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Blake Nelson's avatar

love this. (personal note: I was in a band. all my dreams came true. and then it was over and I was invisible in the world again.)

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Blake. Realized dreams are DANGEROUS. Your post has me thinking of Bob Seger's "Turn the Page." https://youtu.be/GONmFCkCGCc

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Beaner H's avatar

I’ve lurked here for months...admiring the exchanges between you and others, Sherman. But you got me--really got me tonight with, "I often attend services

in the Church of Nostalgia."

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Oh, I'm so happy you're posting a response! And I'm so happy that you and others have really been struck by The Church of Nostalgia!

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RonMcF's avatar

Yeah, "the Church of Nostalgia"--I do know that church--old-time religion. Also, I was engaged to a devout RC girl who broke my heart, so I do bring some baggage to this poem. Thanks!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Hey, here's Jim Carrol's punk anthem, Ron! You can dance while remembering your broken heart! https://youtu.be/aZoZEY69QQs

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

That's the album with "All my friends have died"? The "junkie" album? "Catholic Boy". I loved that album when it first came out.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Yes, that's the one. It's one of my all-time favorites. It's the only CD that I play in my car!

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

My God, how old does that say we are!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Hahahahahaha

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