Walk the midway and hear the carnival barker.Come see the freak named after his deceased father.Come see the prince who wants to abdicate his throne.Come see the son whose name is carved on a gravestone.

- Sherman Alexie

Last night I missed two free throws which would have won the game against the best team in the state. The farm town high school I play for is nicknamed the "Indians," and I'm probably the only actual Indian ever to play for a team with such a mascot.This morning I pick up the sports page and read the headline: INDIANS LOSE AGAIN.Go ahead and tell me none of this is supposed to hurt me very much.

- Sherman Alexie, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

You know, people speak in poetry all the time. They just don't realize it.

- Sherman Alexie

When you read a piece of writing that you admire, send a note of thanks to the author.

- Sherman Alexie

Sure, we thought the acresThat we tilled were sacred,But how could we have knownThat wheat can haunt like ghosts

- Sherman Alexie

My father was always depressed. When he was home and sober, he was mostly in his room.

- Sherman Alexie

My wife was the first romantic partner who understood both American and native parts of me - not so much the positive stuff, but the damage.

- Sherman Alexie

So Lightning says to Mud,“What would happen if I struck your blood?”And Mud says, “Brother, It would hurt, And make me the motherOf every living thing.But, Fire Boy, you ain’t lifting my grass skirtUntil you burn me a ring.

- Sherman Alexie

In high school I dated a white woman. She would come to visit me on the rez. And her dad, who was very racist, didn't like that at all. And he told her one time, 'You shouldn't go on the rez if you're white because Indians have a lot of anger in their heart.'

- Sherman Alexie

I'm a method writer. In order to write about the emotion, I have to experience it. I get physically tired and exhausted, devoting hours and hours and hours to it.

- Sherman Alexie