113 Comments
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Jt Smith's avatar

Thank You Sherman as well. The orange is a symbolic fruit for me too. I remember watching a tv series on A & E Networks called Oranges are Not the Only Fruit. I learned that even a simple orange has deep layers of emotion. You must peel off the skin in order to achieve its pleasures. Orange is the visible colour of the sun as well as the soft drink Sunkist.

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Jennifer Lauck's avatar

🍊 "Who am I believe

that beauty is an accident?

Why do I claim that every

miracle is only coincidence?"

I'm dreadfully far behind but loved this (and will love catching up). Thank you, Sherman.

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Lisa Morrow's avatar

"I don't have any answers

for these questions. I suppose

that is a form of faith." YES!

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Chris's avatar

Das Photo hat mich als erstes fasziniert. Dann erst das Poem gelesen. So eindrucksvoll gesprochen, eine besondere Qualität dieser Poems und Essays für mich. Es spricht alle Sinne an, I´m impressed.

Gospel: is there a melody? Thanks, Chris

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Paul Franzmann's avatar

Modern oranges are a successful laboratory experiment. You couldn't get the original version down the gullet. Your 'miracle' is that someone figured out you could improve that hard, green thing.

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Magpie Mama's avatar

This felt deliciously human!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you!

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Carol Graham's avatar

Love this. Thx!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Carol.

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Beth L. Gainer's avatar

Sherman, this is a powerful poem that covers the grappling with faith that so many people, including me, have. I love the orange imagery throughout, and this poem has given me a new perspective on a simple/not-so-simple act of peeling and eating an orange. While I struggle with faith, my daughter is a full-fledged atheist, very science driven. I think I have faith, but it teeters depending on the day.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

I'm surrounded by far more faithful people than atheists, primarily because I'm an Indian boy surrounded by Indians!

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Anne Lichtenwalner's avatar

Also love the hint about the screenplay. Thank you for the images!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Anne.

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Carla's avatar

Manifesting Oranges 🍊 is true abundance!

We don’t have answers however theories are based upon each own spiritual experience with an orange ! Your poem is orangous and I even smell it while you peel !

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Carla.

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Catherine's avatar

Another one of your really good ones. Thank you! I'll second what "A Crone with a bottle -" said, Thanks for helping make orange an okay color again! And the body is a part of the soul, yes! Why do so many religions want to separate them, and make bodily needs into something "sinful?" What's wrong with that picture? Are they saying Creator within has made an error?

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Some folks are sure afraid the body, aren't they? A look of book bannings are about fear of the body.

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Catherine's avatar

yes, that's about right!

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

Thank you for helping to make orange an okay color again. Next up: red.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Hahahahahahhahaa.

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Amanda Wald Rachie's avatar

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and St. Orange.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

That's great! Hahahaha.

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Tara Huck's avatar

Excellent title!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Tara.

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Amy B's avatar

Now I want an orange!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

So do I!

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lou J's avatar

I’ve missed a few of your posts, but seeing this makes it easier to transition back to urban life after a week in the rain forest. Thank you!

I wish I did more because “it’s good for me,” but, as for oranges, I eat em for the taste, especially if they lean toward tart, away from sweet. Similarly, I’d like to believe in God because I think it would make things much easier. And having faith” might help me bask more in beauty and less in fear/sadness/anger at “our current place.” But as it stands, i don’t seek the easy path, don’t shirk work and I am plenty able to bask in the miracle of oranges, salmon, my children, my wife, the cloud above now shielding me from a fervent sun. This life and all it gives me is enough to believe in.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

It sounds like you're in a very good place in your life.

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lou J's avatar

I appreciate that observation. You solidified what I only think I knew.

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