86 Comments
Mar 18, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

I wish there was a colloquial term for obsessive-compulsive disorder that better captured its realities. Anyway, thanks always for your writing on mental health. I first found your poems as a very depressed teenager over a decade ago and they brought me some solace and company. They still bring me solace and company now.

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Mar 18, 2023·edited Mar 18, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Absolutely. And now you point it out, you're right. The "C" sound does surprise. 😮 It is better. My apologies.

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Mar 18, 2023·edited Mar 18, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

In the written poem above the stanza reads:

Depression is a relentless

clock, collapsed. Depression is

is a compass, confused.

But in the audio you say:

Depression is a relentless

clock, stopped. Depression is

is a compass, spinning.

I'm not sure which you intended (I prefer the audio version), but I thought you might want to know. (I should have differently, not incorrectly. Sorry.)

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This is excellent. It captures the hope in hopelessness.

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Very real and intense. I too struggle with depression and a few other mental illnesses. From one day to the next I'm not sure how I'm going to feel. Very good poem and you read it very well too Sherman.

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Mar 12, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Wait, I want to say more. My post pandemic (don't read particularly well) senior high school students announced in class that the two Indians bantering in "Crazy Horse Dreams" provided them a first opportunity to comprehend gender stereotypes actually worked in their world. No small thing.

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Mar 12, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Really like this piece, especially liked what it takes to survive as an Indian pilgrim/pioneer, the contradiction.

Powerful

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Mar 12, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Your words, as always, profoundly affect me. I myself have no words, thank you Sherman.

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Mar 11, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Awe Beautiful, best wishes.

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Mar 11, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Stunning. I've printed it out to read when I wake at 3 am and need reassurance there is enough spirit in the world to hold me. Thanks.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

I’ve read this poem 5x and I’m going to come back 5 more times. Exquisitely honest!

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Very powerful, very moving.

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Transcendent work, Sir, which models a familiarity of the affliction I do not wish upon anyone. Mine has proven to be readily managed over the years since finally diagnosed, but I see so many whom may never be delivered that I tremble in gratitude. This poem gives recognition (several instances/entire stanzas) and life-affirming hope, which demands struggle to render so keenly. I salute you!

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A beautiful poem, sir.

For me, depression doesn’t fade or turn things to gray. It’’s vivid and that is terrifying. It’s a reminder of how ridiculously miraculous life can be. So beautiful that it hurts deeply—nausea. That piece of music just knocked me to my knees. I choose to feel, it cuts, but I will not give in. I choose to live.

Thank you for your words.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie

Listening through my tears. So beautiful and sad. Thank you Sherman

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Another great and important work Sherman. Is there an entire/long book on depression/handbook to surviving...in your future? No one gives hope quite like U!

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