Different Slants

Seeing the World from a New Angle

Eulogy for Bonnie Sue…by her Brother, Bob Katzman 6/11/10 (revised 6/10/18)

Filed under: Bonnie stories,Depression and Hope,Friendship & Compassion,Life & Death,My Own Personal Hell,Rage! — Bob at 5:26 am on Friday, June 11, 2010

Older Sister

Wherever you are

I hope it’s all

Periwinkle, Fushia and Mauve

The Daughter of an Interior Decorator

Ought to dwell in Eternity

in a Universe of

Subtle Colors

*

You

You were the Perfect One

You did

Everything Right

Dressed Right

Acted Right

Great Grades

Perfect Parties

Perfect in Hebrew School

Perfect House

So Polite

*

Not at all

Like

Your Little Brother Bobby

The Hell Raiser

But secretly, Bonnie

Maybe I’m the side of you

No one ever saw

Not so Perfect

But maybe far more

Free

*

To me, for the longest Time

You were the

Standard of Excellence

What I wished

I could be

Perfect

I thought you

Understood Life

Knew the Score

*

But to me

Life was the Enemy

Something to stand up to

I was a much better match

For Life, than you were

Because Life and me

We’re not so Perfect

*

Oh, I wish you and I could’ve

Spoken the same Language

I wish we had spent more Time

Together

I wish, I wish

I wish for too much

*

Then Life Blind-Sided you

Sucker-Punched you

Hit you when you weren’t looking

I always expected that

But you, Bonnie

You never had a Chance

*

I am so sorry

It has been

So hard

For you

For so long

I loved you, Bonnie

I missed you when you were

Still here

*

Now, I will miss you more

Now that you’re gone

But now that you’re gone

Well…

For me, that’s…

That’s the Death of Hope

That we ever could have been

Whatever we could have been

*

Life, damn it

Life shoulda picked on

Someone

It’s own size

*

God!

You Burning Bush Trickster!!

You and your

Random Vengeance

C’mon, I’m right here

With a Scarred Body

and

A Savage Heart

C’mon,

*

I’m right here on Earth

Waiting for ya

Ready for ya, damn it

Come try me

You, You

Master of the Universe

Ya shoulda left my

Beautiful

Defenseless

Big Sister

Alone

 

******************

Publishing News! 

Bob Katzman’s two new true Chicago books are now for sale, from him!
Vol. One: A Savage Heart and Vol. Two: Fighting Words

Gritty, violent, friendship, classic American entrepreneurship love, death, heartbreak and the real dirt about surviving in a completely corrupt major city under the Chicago Machine.More history and about one man’s life than a person may imagine.

Please visit my new website:https://www.dontgoquietlypress.com
If a person doesn’t want to use PayPaI, I also have a PO Box & I ship anywhere in America.

Send me a money order with your return and contact info.
I will get your books to you within ten days.
Here’s complete information on how to buy my books:

Vol 1: A Savage Heart and Vol. 2: Fighting Words
My books weigh almost 2 pounds each, with about 525 pages each and there are a total together of 79 stories and story/poems.

Robert M. Katzman
Don’t Go Quietly Press
PO Box 44287
Racine, Wis. 53404-9998 (262)752-3333, 8AM–7PM

Books cost $29.95 each, plus shipping

For: (1)$3.95; (2)$5.95; (3)$7.95; (4)$8.95 (5)$9.95;(6) $10.95

(7) $11.95; (8) $12.95; (9)$13.95 (10)$15.95 (15)$19.95

I am also for hire if anyone wants me to read my work and answer questions in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. Schools should call me for quantity discounts for 30 or more books. Also: businesses, bookstores, private organizations or churches and so on.

My Fighting Words Publishing Co. four original books, published between 2004 and 2007 are now out-of-print. I still have some left and will periodically offer them for sale on my new website.

11 Comments »

Comment by lorra

June 11, 2010 @ 7:49 am

by my friend Bob.

Comment by Elaine

June 11, 2010 @ 9:42 am

Hi Bob,
Paul & I are soooooo sorry to hear the news of your sister’s death, and your family’s loss. In your grief, remember to count all the many ways that Bonnie has blessed your life, and give thanks for the honor of her presence in your life while she was with you.
Yah bless.

Comment by Don Larson

June 11, 2010 @ 10:31 am

Bob,

I’m sorry for your sister’s passing. I extend my sympathies to you and the family.

I enjoyed your posted message about her, too.

Sincerely,

Don

Comment by Paul Eisenbacher

June 13, 2010 @ 9:30 pm

Bob
My sincere regrets to you on the passing of your sister. Your eulogy of your sister Bonnie speaks for itself. Whether it was read aloud or for others to read, it was said. Compassionate, sincere, loving, it was said. Stay well my friend. Paul

Comment by N. Sydnor

June 14, 2010 @ 7:56 am

Although I did not know your sister, I can relate to having lost one. Please take comfort in knowing you WILL see her again, strong and healthy right here on earth. There is a promise that I look forward to at John 5:28,29 that always brings me comfort when I am missing my sister. I hope it will do the same for you. (John 5:28-29) Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.

Comment by David Griesemer

October 22, 2015 @ 3:26 pm

Reminds you of Don McLean’s Starry Starry Night.

Comment by Dobie Maxwell

October 22, 2015 @ 8:53 pm

You are a good soul and talented writer Bob. I am touched by this poem. My sister Tammy and I had not spoken in twenty years up until two years ago when we reconnected and have been in touch ever since.

I know what it’s like to be estranged. Thank you for keeping her memory alive.

Keep writing. It’s what you are meant to do.

Your friend and fan,

Dobie

Comment by Bob

October 31, 2015 @ 8:59 am

Thank you. As always, wishing you the best of times. My 7-Mile poem, just posted, should lift your spirits, Dobie
Bob

Comment by Brad Dechter

October 10, 2017 @ 6:01 am

Bob,
As one with a brother who has passed away, as well as having some issues with my siblings, I appreciate what you write, as well as you. You have a rare talent, and I thnk you for sharing!
Brad

Comment by Charlie Newman

June 10, 2018 @ 9:46 pm

nicely done, Amigo

Comment by Jim Payne

October 22, 2020 @ 7:23 am

Your yearning comes through poignantly for your loss of Bonnie Sue. Sweet Bonnie Sue and feisty Bob.

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