Just watched your interview with Dua Lipa and am about 100 pages into your book, Just Kids. Now, reading your Words of Remembrance of your good friend, Sam, it is clear to me that you are a true friend, a remarkable woman. So glad that I am now enjoying your many gifts. A couple of years ago, Selby Gardens, Sarasota, Florida had a beautiful tribute to you and Robert Maplethorpe. I have a better understanding of your story now. ‘Grateful that Robert asked you to write it and appreciative of your persistence as a writer. The world is a better place because of people like you. Thank you 💜
I’ve kept a clipped copy of your New Yorker piece about Sam on top of some books on a bookshelf in my bedroom. I’ve read it at least once a year since it was published. I’ve also read, maybe a half dozen times, Sam’s final book, Spy of the First Person, which you helped him complete. I’ve often thought that if I were asked which three writers, living or dead, I would invite to dinner at my house (as The New York Times Book Review allows a writer to choose each week), I wouldn’t have to think twice: Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Sam Shepard. What a meal and conversation that would be! Thank you, Patti, for remembering Sam today.
This article was a nice addition to what I learned about your relationship with Sam from reading your book, “Just Kids". I read it early last month. It was encouraging to me. Love, H.D.
A third of the country is running us into the ground intentionally. Their unholy rhetoric is about power. New Apostolic Reformation is the problem. More importantly, you not knowing what that is or who they are, puts us all in ‼️ danger ‼️ These people are unhinged and full of hate. They are well funded and in powerful positions. This is the enemy. These people use their religion as a weapon. This is your biggest enemy and challenge. We must end this madness. They want your children straight, white, armed and angry.
MAGA must Lie, Cheat and Steal! Abortion. Guns. Equality. End Christian nationalism!Maga is the CONFEDERACY!!
Familiarize yourself with this unholy movement! These people took part in the insurrection. They want your children white, ignorant, armed and angry!!
Reading this felt like sitting quietly beside you, listening as you held time still with memory and language. You didn’t just tell us about Sam — you walked us through his landscapes. Kentucky nights. Bolivian bonfires. That crescent moon between thumb and forefinger.
The line that broke me:
“He sang in those mountains by a bonfire, old songs written by broken men in love with their own vanishing nature.”
You honored him as only you could — with deep knowing, with fierce love, and with that unmistakable voice that turns grief into art. Thank you for letting us sit at the table with you both one last time.
Beautiful. Sam Shepard was such a unique artist. Completely rugged and tangible, but simultaneously belonged to the mythic and ephemeral. So cool you guys crossed paths and rubbed shoulders and shared artistry. I always return to Fool for Love or Buried Child when I can.
Sam Shepherd - Brilliant!
Iconic always ❤️🔥
I loved Sam. We were friends… I miss that Scorpio man.
Sam Shepard has always been a torch in the cave for me. As a younger man then, and a middle aged man now.
Just watched your interview with Dua Lipa and am about 100 pages into your book, Just Kids. Now, reading your Words of Remembrance of your good friend, Sam, it is clear to me that you are a true friend, a remarkable woman. So glad that I am now enjoying your many gifts. A couple of years ago, Selby Gardens, Sarasota, Florida had a beautiful tribute to you and Robert Maplethorpe. I have a better understanding of your story now. ‘Grateful that Robert asked you to write it and appreciative of your persistence as a writer. The world is a better place because of people like you. Thank you 💜
I’ve kept a clipped copy of your New Yorker piece about Sam on top of some books on a bookshelf in my bedroom. I’ve read it at least once a year since it was published. I’ve also read, maybe a half dozen times, Sam’s final book, Spy of the First Person, which you helped him complete. I’ve often thought that if I were asked which three writers, living or dead, I would invite to dinner at my house (as The New York Times Book Review allows a writer to choose each week), I wouldn’t have to think twice: Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Sam Shepard. What a meal and conversation that would be! Thank you, Patti, for remembering Sam today.
This heart making, heart breaking ode to an everlasting friendship moves me deeply.
This article was a nice addition to what I learned about your relationship with Sam from reading your book, “Just Kids". I read it early last month. It was encouraging to me. Love, H.D.
A third of the country is running us into the ground intentionally. Their unholy rhetoric is about power. New Apostolic Reformation is the problem. More importantly, you not knowing what that is or who they are, puts us all in ‼️ danger ‼️ These people are unhinged and full of hate. They are well funded and in powerful positions. This is the enemy. These people use their religion as a weapon. This is your biggest enemy and challenge. We must end this madness. They want your children straight, white, armed and angry.
MAGA must Lie, Cheat and Steal! Abortion. Guns. Equality. End Christian nationalism!Maga is the CONFEDERACY!!
Familiarize yourself with this unholy movement! These people took part in the insurrection. They want your children white, ignorant, armed and angry!!
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/10/new-apostolic-reformation-christian-nationalism/
Patti,
Reading this felt like sitting quietly beside you, listening as you held time still with memory and language. You didn’t just tell us about Sam — you walked us through his landscapes. Kentucky nights. Bolivian bonfires. That crescent moon between thumb and forefinger.
The line that broke me:
“He sang in those mountains by a bonfire, old songs written by broken men in love with their own vanishing nature.”
You honored him as only you could — with deep knowing, with fierce love, and with that unmistakable voice that turns grief into art. Thank you for letting us sit at the table with you both one last time.
—Anton
Beautiful…reading this was like eating when I am hungry… thank you🥰❤️
Beautiful. Sam Shepard was such a unique artist. Completely rugged and tangible, but simultaneously belonged to the mythic and ephemeral. So cool you guys crossed paths and rubbed shoulders and shared artistry. I always return to Fool for Love or Buried Child when I can.
You're such a sweet lady 💕
Sam is missed and was a good man 💔
Most beautiful thing I’ve ever read
That was absolutely beautiful about Sam and such a talented writer. He always surprised me.