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.
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).
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?
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
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!
Please, as you grow
older, don't forget the failed
dreams that ache like a broken
shoulder in the cold.
Wow!!! That got me. ❤️
Thank you, Reena.
"The Church of Nostalgia" <3
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?
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."
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.
It sounds like our church is Standing Room Only!
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).
Thanks for taking us on this journey...
Thank you!
Spitting in a parking lot…
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?
Like a dog who finally catches the car! Hahahahahaha!
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!
Thank you!
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.
You're the real thing, Sherman. Your words go straight to the heart.
Thank you, Helia.
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.
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?
YES!
Ha! That makes me happy.
How lovely.
"failed dreams that ache like a broken shoulder in the cold"
Wow, there's so much magic in this line. Thank you.
Thank you, Monica!
This one got me teary eyed. Beautiful. The nostalgia church services are happening more often every year around here.
Yes, soon enough the services will be daily.
Yeah, I've been a regular member since about then. Once I let go of needing to succeed.
Yes, and we add another service with each decade passed.
Are there young members of the Church of Nostalgia? What's the age to join?
I think membership admittance probably starts somewhere in the 30s.
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.)
Thank you, Blake. Realized dreams are DANGEROUS. Your post has me thinking of Bob Seger's "Turn the Page." https://youtu.be/GONmFCkCGCc
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."
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!
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!
Hey, here's Jim Carrol's punk anthem, Ron! You can dance while remembering your broken heart! https://youtu.be/aZoZEY69QQs
That's the album with "All my friends have died"? The "junkie" album? "Catholic Boy". I loved that album when it first came out.
Yes, that's the one. It's one of my all-time favorites. It's the only CD that I play in my car!
My God, how old does that say we are!
Hahahahahaha