Different Slants

Seeing the World from a New Angle

Coming ‘Round the Bend, Approaching Seventy!…by Robert M. Katzman

By Robert M. Katzman © June 10, 2019

Conceived in mid-July ’49

Born late in April of ’50

Been running hard ever since

Trying to catch up

Born into chaos and diamonds

I somehow chose chaos

And the strong

Sometimes brilliant

Individuals dwelling within it

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

Rearranging my priorities

Disheveled by design

I never let clothes define the man

If people only perceived

My dog-eared cover

Then maybe they missed 

A very good book

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

Currently Seeking:

A Firecracker Grandma

With a cherry-bomb kiss

A Sixties chick

With a throbbing pulse

Who thinks Rock ‘n Roll

Is her secondary god

And a burning urge 

Not to waste a single minute

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

Mountains and valleys

Waterfalls and Islands

Tiny towns on 

Skinny roads 

Await us

I await you

I offer a gentle caress

Warm kisses under Starlight

As an inducement to stay

Come find me

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

On religion long ago

I embraced 

I comprehended

My People’s traditions

Absorbed the bloody wanderings

Of our Centuries of seeking 

But rejected the stranglehold of  

Endless and complex ceremony

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

All the rules

All the don’t

All the deciding

Whom a man could love

Once threatening me

With social isolation

Should my Love prevail

Over fear of all their threats

What do  you  think I chose?

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

We have no pope

No one is in charge

No one can challenge

My validity as a Jew

My Father Israel

Taught me his hard view

Of Life’s 

Most Important Essentials:

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

Damn-it Boy!

Show Up!

Back up your friends

Believe in something

Keep your word

Helping others in peril

Will make your life matter

When trouble arises

Run toward it

Not away

Someone has to

Let it be you

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

Did I live my life that way?

I didn’t know any other way

Intervening has consequences

Stopping violence 

Inspires revenge

Believing everyone’s equal

Can be overwhelmingly

Impossible 

To accomplish

A man can lose everything

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

In my complicated life

Yes, I did

By choosing to be

On the wrong side of power

I did lose everything 

 Standing with people 

Of other colors

Standing with people 

With different sexualities

Makes you one of them

To any who would assault them

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

Standing up for other’s rights

Can get you crushed

I was crushed

For a long time

No money

No chances

No choices

Well, screw that

No regrets

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

Reflecting subsequently

I see my tumultuous life

As a response to

The unforeseen

Adjusting as I learned

What I felt was right

What I felt was wrong

Learning the 

Glacial consequences

When deciding to make my stand

Then choosing the losing side

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

Conceived in mid-July ’49

Born late in April of ’50

Been running hard ever since

Trying to catch up

Born into chaos and diamonds

I somehow chose chaos

And met a better class of people

For nearly–Seventy–Years

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

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

Shipping by air to most of Europe, due to the weight of my books is $99.00

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.  My hour-long story reading at WGTD 91.1 NPR Kenosha, Wis is now a podcast. The interview and story can be heard here:

Speaking of Our Words June 30th, 2017 With special guest star and featured writer Bob Katzman. Bob reads his memoir, “Audrey, Pink Bunny Slippers, Her Cat and the God’s Eye” and talks about his life.   Your comments are welcome, below, and please tell others I can be found here as a writer. I can also be hired as a speaker for organizations, etc, both here and in Europe. Seeking an agent. robertmkatzman@gmail.com Poet & Storyteller for hire for organizations, schools or private events   www.DifferentSlants.com to view recent and older examples of my work

847.274.1474     Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Speaking of Our Words June 30th, 2017

4 Comments »

Comment by Don Larson

October 26, 2019 @ 11:28 am

Bob,

You have a strong foundation!

I’m glad we are friends for 61 years!

Consider your next long trip out west and spend at least four weeks out there. Take the country roads and visit some of the small towns you encounter.

You may find many of the answers you seek. 🙂

Warmest regards,

Don

Comment by Brad Dechter

October 28, 2019 @ 5:27 am

You remind me of Maverick and this story has an almost “Wild West” foundation.
Adaptability is what the human race does to survive, but you do it with intelligence.
You got your point across. By chosing the losing side, you connect to what you have been taught about persecution your entire lfe.It is in your roots.
Good writing Bob!

Comment by Jim Payne

October 31, 2019 @ 9:10 am

That poem is you.

Comment by Beth Walsh

November 23, 2020 @ 11:35 am

Yep, I see you, Bob Katzman. Beautiful.

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