Old Shirts & New Skins

poetry by Alexie

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July 20, 2026

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"Old Shirts & New Skins" is a 1993 collection of poetry by Sherman Alexie. Alexie, an American writer of Salish and Coeur d'Alene heritage, is known for his works that explore the lives of American Indians. His poetry, short stories, novels, and films have gained him international recognition. "Old Shirts & New Skins" was published shortly after Alexie quit drinking and released his first book of poetry, I Would Steal Horses. This collection, along with his other works, often delves into themes of identity, culture, and the experiences of Native Americans.12

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Sherman Alexie
Literary career
…Indian on the Moon and Old Shirts & New Skins—and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a collection of interwoven stories that won the PEN/Hemingway Award for best first book of fiction.
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…Indian on the Moon and Old Shirts & New Skins—and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a collection of interwoven stories that won the PEN/Hemingway Award for best first book of fiction.
Read More