I have Bipolar 1 with high manias. I’m not using bipolar as an excuse...just as an explanation. I actually have done a few things on your list - hitchhiking, snorting cocaine and public nudity. I have abused the ones who love me most...and as I’m very intent not to abuse them again...I’m afraid I will. I haven’t been manic for 19 years and I really want (and work towards) not experiencing all that destruction again in my lifetime.
Powerful final two lines; gonna be chewing for a bit longer...I would pay a gazillion centavos to go snorkeling again. My ex aerial dancer wife's three auto immunities keep us from Mother Ocean.
Ditto! I love the turn the poem takes after the list.... only thing I might do is a hot air balloon , except I have become afraid of heights. Contradictions.
Oh no, it makes me so sad that you will never get the joy of eating black licorice. If I ever meet you in person, I will help you right that wrong.
Seriously now: what a great poem. That list is so well constructed. It meanders like life does. Then halfway through, the poem shapeshifts into something very compelling and thought-inspiring. It forces to reflect on oneself. Great job.
And then that last stanza. It's so good. The words, the messaging, the imagery. Wisdom shut and eyes opened. That is so extremely well found and written. I'm in awe.
What I like about this poem is your own self-knowledge. I think I remember something you said early in your career that unlike many assumptions held about native Americans you don't have any special relationship to Nature or Wilderness - you like cities. Correct me if I'm wrong - or maybe you've changed your mind about that.
One of my favorite authors of all time is David James Duncan, who oozes rapture with the natural world. Our world needs both of you - authors who are true to themselves, not trend-setting.
Or -to quote Bob Dylan's song, "Forever Young", which is much on my mind these days: "May you have a strong foundation when the winds of changes shift"
Awesome!! I knew a professor who assigned writing our own "I am . . ." poem. I like your style. And, a huge ewww to black licorice. As for climbing ice falls, hmm, I have done this - only for a few years until I saw a major fall of a fellow climber. Left my equipment at the scene. Keep on writing, I am always touched by it. A repressed, Indian Catholic?? Hmmm. I can't comprehend Indian or Repressed Indian but I can, as most, a repressed Catholic. How about a longtime lapsed Catholic atheist?
Jan 28, 2023·edited Jan 28, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie
The sound of your cadence or rythym voice oddly makes me feel safe not sure why it’s so familiar but your writing made me cry today - was so nostalgic and emotional - so thanks for producing tears & safety
I have to agree with the vast majority of your list. Though snorkeling is an amazing experience, the old women green sea turtle that swam directly below me will stay with me for as long as I have memory. And I would love to be able to say I won't disappoint, dismay, or dispirit those I love and that love me. But I know it will happen. Black licorice???
How absolutely BEAUTIFUL. And touching, hitting several sensitive nerves. I'm with you all the way from skydiving to poaching rhinos, to public nudity. Black licorice, though? You haven't truly lived until you tried it. And threw up. And tried it again.
I have Bipolar 1 with high manias. I’m not using bipolar as an excuse...just as an explanation. I actually have done a few things on your list - hitchhiking, snorting cocaine and public nudity. I have abused the ones who love me most...and as I’m very intent not to abuse them again...I’m afraid I will. I haven’t been manic for 19 years and I really want (and work towards) not experiencing all that destruction again in my lifetime.
But I really agree with you about black licorice.
Powerful final two lines; gonna be chewing for a bit longer...I would pay a gazillion centavos to go snorkeling again. My ex aerial dancer wife's three auto immunities keep us from Mother Ocean.
Ditto! I love the turn the poem takes after the list.... only thing I might do is a hot air balloon , except I have become afraid of heights. Contradictions.
Oh no, it makes me so sad that you will never get the joy of eating black licorice. If I ever meet you in person, I will help you right that wrong.
Seriously now: what a great poem. That list is so well constructed. It meanders like life does. Then halfway through, the poem shapeshifts into something very compelling and thought-inspiring. It forces to reflect on oneself. Great job.
And then that last stanza. It's so good. The words, the messaging, the imagery. Wisdom shut and eyes opened. That is so extremely well found and written. I'm in awe.
What I like about this poem is your own self-knowledge. I think I remember something you said early in your career that unlike many assumptions held about native Americans you don't have any special relationship to Nature or Wilderness - you like cities. Correct me if I'm wrong - or maybe you've changed your mind about that.
One of my favorite authors of all time is David James Duncan, who oozes rapture with the natural world. Our world needs both of you - authors who are true to themselves, not trend-setting.
Or -to quote Bob Dylan's song, "Forever Young", which is much on my mind these days: "May you have a strong foundation when the winds of changes shift"
I suggest you snorkel or learn to deep dive as you will witness a marvelous underwater cosmos.
Awesome!! I knew a professor who assigned writing our own "I am . . ." poem. I like your style. And, a huge ewww to black licorice. As for climbing ice falls, hmm, I have done this - only for a few years until I saw a major fall of a fellow climber. Left my equipment at the scene. Keep on writing, I am always touched by it. A repressed, Indian Catholic?? Hmmm. I can't comprehend Indian or Repressed Indian but I can, as most, a repressed Catholic. How about a longtime lapsed Catholic atheist?
The sound of your cadence or rythym voice oddly makes me feel safe not sure why it’s so familiar but your writing made me cry today - was so nostalgic and emotional - so thanks for producing tears & safety
Those bulls you won’t run with? They gored me at the end. This poem took my breath away. So good.
I have to agree with the vast majority of your list. Though snorkeling is an amazing experience, the old women green sea turtle that swam directly below me will stay with me for as long as I have memory. And I would love to be able to say I won't disappoint, dismay, or dispirit those I love and that love me. But I know it will happen. Black licorice???
C'mon, Sherman, loosen up. Now I have to cross Sammy Davis, Jr. off my bucket list. At least you left off Disneyland.
In the midst of daring things....black licorice!!! 😆
Way cool!
How absolutely BEAUTIFUL. And touching, hitting several sensitive nerves. I'm with you all the way from skydiving to poaching rhinos, to public nudity. Black licorice, though? You haven't truly lived until you tried it. And threw up. And tried it again.
I love how you still surprise us when your writing does a sharp turn into deeper, darker truths.
Good one! Love where you went with your non-bucket list.