My father ditched my mother, left her with four children under 13, because his college-aged blonde girlfriend "needed" him more. My mother was destroyed. She was Catholic, so went to her bishop for help. He told her if she had been a better wife and mother, my father would not have deserted us, and to go on home and be better. Mr. Alexie, you are so forgiving, probably on a higher plane than I, but I can not, will not, forgive. I did forgive my father, after he died, using that "did the best he could with what he had" reasoning. Guess he didn't have much.
Two things: "Indigenous to her island of shame" serves up a concept useful enough to warrant a week of reading. THANK YOU! And, this piece solidifies a long-held belief that you and David James Duncan are Brothers-in-Arms, Co-conspirators, Like-souled minds. He oft quotes Meister Eckhart to suggest, "“The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me." When I next run into Sylvia Plath, I will try to remind her.
Just listened to this Sherman...brilliant. Couldn't help but notice how she appears to be smiling in the picture...is it because she is walking away from the Cathedral?
Thought of sooo many things....Watching Shogun and it amazes me that the Portuguese Jesuits were already there, in 1600, before an Englishman made it there.
Those missionaries...bringing God to the world, or power to themselves.
I've kept this one in my in-box for a few days now. I've read it over several times. It comforts me in some way and at the same time it disturbs me. It certainly explains some things to me. Thank you for being willing to share your thoughts. I think you help people more than you know.
That’s pretty good. And these are goo questions. What could plague such a bright human being to consider death? What could not plague a person though? There is so much that could plague a person.
"So let me proffer atonement / and practice forgiveness / in this world famous / with faith and shame." This is ne of the great truths of any great faith - whenever I read something about "Indians" my hackles rise and I brace myself for a lot of blame and victimhood and activism, even if it is justified, but I don't expect truth and honestly on a higher more universal level - thanks for this.
What an extraordinary poem for Holy Week. I shall come back to these words often and strive to be less judgmental and more forgiving. I just happened to notice a comment of yours in which you say you’re a bad Catholic. It seems to me that’s a good thing. Life is not about being conformed to one tradition. It’s about being transformed daily. This is what I see in you as reflected in your poetry. Thank you.
My father ditched my mother, left her with four children under 13, because his college-aged blonde girlfriend "needed" him more. My mother was destroyed. She was Catholic, so went to her bishop for help. He told her if she had been a better wife and mother, my father would not have deserted us, and to go on home and be better. Mr. Alexie, you are so forgiving, probably on a higher plane than I, but I can not, will not, forgive. I did forgive my father, after he died, using that "did the best he could with what he had" reasoning. Guess he didn't have much.
Two things: "Indigenous to her island of shame" serves up a concept useful enough to warrant a week of reading. THANK YOU! And, this piece solidifies a long-held belief that you and David James Duncan are Brothers-in-Arms, Co-conspirators, Like-souled minds. He oft quotes Meister Eckhart to suggest, "“The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me." When I next run into Sylvia Plath, I will try to remind her.
Beautiful! Touching. Thoughtful. I am reading The Bell Jar right now.
To bad she got lost in Ted^^
Well damn, alrighty then!
Wow, how sweeping and compelling, Mr Alexie. Loved it. And I will celebrate the sacred and the profane in you, and all poets and humans. Always.
Just listened to this Sherman...brilliant. Couldn't help but notice how she appears to be smiling in the picture...is it because she is walking away from the Cathedral?
Thought of sooo many things....Watching Shogun and it amazes me that the Portuguese Jesuits were already there, in 1600, before an Englishman made it there.
Those missionaries...bringing God to the world, or power to themselves.
I've kept this one in my in-box for a few days now. I've read it over several times. It comforts me in some way and at the same time it disturbs me. It certainly explains some things to me. Thank you for being willing to share your thoughts. I think you help people more than you know.
"There's a photo of Sylvia Plath
walking in front of Notre Dame,
so, yes, a reminder that people and churches—
no matter how timeless—
can be destroyed by flame."
Woooooooowww Mr. Alexie. That's just the darkest, driest joke I've ever read opening up a poem.
“In this world famous with pain and shame”
That’s pretty good. And these are goo questions. What could plague such a bright human being to consider death? What could not plague a person though? There is so much that could plague a person.
I'm a simple scholar. I read Sylvia Plath and instantly clicked. Was not disappointed. Thank you for the excellent poem.
Thank you.
"So let me proffer atonement / and practice forgiveness / in this world famous / with faith and shame." This is ne of the great truths of any great faith - whenever I read something about "Indians" my hackles rise and I brace myself for a lot of blame and victimhood and activism, even if it is justified, but I don't expect truth and honestly on a higher more universal level - thanks for this.
No words 😢
This is sad and beautiful. I love the weaving of Sylvia Plath and the Catholic church. Great Poem!
What an extraordinary poem for Holy Week. I shall come back to these words often and strive to be less judgmental and more forgiving. I just happened to notice a comment of yours in which you say you’re a bad Catholic. It seems to me that’s a good thing. Life is not about being conformed to one tradition. It’s about being transformed daily. This is what I see in you as reflected in your poetry. Thank you.