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1st out of 125 books
—
135 voters
From Where I Stand
by
Robert Zimmermann (Goodreads Author)
From Robert Zimmermann comes From Where I Stand, an emotional debut poetry collection. Zimmermann explores strained parental relationships, loss of life, and the despair associated with grief. Alongside these darker themes, he delves into the small areas of life that often go unnoticed but become the hope we are searching for.
Kindle Edition
Published
November 10th 2012
(first published November 1st 2012)
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I'm the poet who wrote this....I won't be rating it for obvious reasons. I hope those who read it enjoy it :)
Robert Zimmermann has created a beautiful and moving collection. You can feel from the strength of his words that the poet's whole life has been leading toward it. Zimmermann is above all an honest observer, laying his own struggles bare and appreciating the nature around him. If you want a debut collection that gets stronger with every poem you read, From Where I Stand is for you.
The Good: Some say that poetry is no longer accessible to the “everyman”. Poets write for other poets, in some high-handed language that is akin to double speak. Sometimes, I wonder if the poet even knows what he/she is writing. This is why so few people read poetry anymore.Robert Zimmermann’s debut book is in no way typical. It is full of raw emotion that triggers a visceral reaction in its readers.
It is obvious from the moment you read the first poem that this is a personal collection. There...more
It is obvious from the moment you read the first poem that this is a personal collection. There...more
4.5 stars
I tried to muddle my way through Poetry 101 in school and once in a while I'd stumble upon something I enjoyed (Edna St. Vincent Millay is amazing). But, I have to admit, most of the time I find poetry...well, boring.
From Where I Stand by Robert Zimmerman is a collection of poetry that will appeal to almost any reader. It is emotionally raw and real. I found my heart breaking and I also caught myself giggling out loud.
The book won't take you long to read, but you may find yourself want...more
I tried to muddle my way through Poetry 101 in school and once in a while I'd stumble upon something I enjoyed (Edna St. Vincent Millay is amazing). But, I have to admit, most of the time I find poetry...well, boring.
From Where I Stand by Robert Zimmerman is a collection of poetry that will appeal to almost any reader. It is emotionally raw and real. I found my heart breaking and I also caught myself giggling out loud.
The book won't take you long to read, but you may find yourself want...more
This is an astounding collection of poems that has really blown me away. The heartfelt, honest, moving, and down-to-earth writing style developed by the author makes of this poetry collection an amazing read, even if you are not too familiar with poetry (just like me). Forget about cryptic poems whose meaning you cannot figure out; these poems will speak right to your heart, and they feel as if the author is talking right to you while chatting over a cup of tea (or coffee). Some of the poems hit...more
I'll start by saying that I am not usually a big fan of poetry. I feel that you almost need to be a poet to understand or appreciate most of the poetry I have attempted to read in the past. From Where I Stand is NOT like that at all.
These are genuine words, of real, often relatable experiences, written in a style that is easy to read. These poems feel very personal and I admire the author for putting himself out there and revealing so much of his inner self.
These are genuine words, of real, often relatable experiences, written in a style that is easy to read. These poems feel very personal and I admire the author for putting himself out there and revealing so much of his inner self.
One of the most difficult things a writer can do is tell a complete story in a short medium like poetry. Robert Zimmermann not only manages to tell you a story, but to draw you in completely with each of his poems.
His poems range from the topics of guilt, divorce, growing up, and putting aside your past (just to name a few). Oftentimes his poems are dark, heartfelt, but also laced with hope.
Although there are many to choose from, my favorite poems had to be Childhood Fantasy and Behind the Mask...more
His poems range from the topics of guilt, divorce, growing up, and putting aside your past (just to name a few). Oftentimes his poems are dark, heartfelt, but also laced with hope.
Although there are many to choose from, my favorite poems had to be Childhood Fantasy and Behind the Mask...more
At first I was hesitant to read a poetry book. I'll admit it. I'm a complete dummy and often get intimidated by big words all twisted together. But I was pleasantly surprised by the discovery that these poems weren't Shakespearean cryptic. Not only did I understand them, but I related to them.
What I like about these poems are a lot of them tell a story. They aren't all roses are red, violets are blue, but real life events that most of us have experienced. And Zimmerman doesn't hold back. His poe...more
What I like about these poems are a lot of them tell a story. They aren't all roses are red, violets are blue, but real life events that most of us have experienced. And Zimmerman doesn't hold back. His poe...more
From Where I Stand mixes memoir with fiction in poetic form.
Children of the 80’s will especially relate to the beginning poems (or anyone who grew up with a domineering father who treated offspring like insubordinates rather than loved ones). I loved the poem titled “Living With A Koopa” (a title I appreciate even more as I type it here and consider its significance). The poem starts out with the Super Nintendo two brothers receive one Christmas, “It was, and still is, one of the most expensive...more
Children of the 80’s will especially relate to the beginning poems (or anyone who grew up with a domineering father who treated offspring like insubordinates rather than loved ones). I loved the poem titled “Living With A Koopa” (a title I appreciate even more as I type it here and consider its significance). The poem starts out with the Super Nintendo two brothers receive one Christmas, “It was, and still is, one of the most expensive...more
Many of the poems in Robert Zimmermann’s From Where I Stand hit me right in the gut. I didn’t expect it. I’m not much of a poetry guy. And, no, that admission has nothing to do with too much testosterone, pig-headedness, or any of the other lovely attributes most men are accused of possessing in abundance. I simply don’t enjoy reading what I don’t understand … and, too often, I don’t understand poetry. So much of it seems to be a) self-indulgent, self-impressed drivel, b) deliberately unclear, m...more
THE SHORT VERSION
From Where I Stand is full of poetry that lingers. The emotion is real. There is a truth in these poems that lets you know you’re not alone in feeling a certain way, and that in unto itself made me smile.
THE DETAILS
Zimmermann’s poetry touches on everything from the everyday joys of nature to the heartbreaking grief of seeing someone you love in a casket. The range of emotion is a journey, and I’m fairly certain you’ll want to reread several of these poems. That’s the beauty tho...more
From Where I Stand is full of poetry that lingers. The emotion is real. There is a truth in these poems that lets you know you’re not alone in feeling a certain way, and that in unto itself made me smile.
THE DETAILS
Zimmermann’s poetry touches on everything from the everyday joys of nature to the heartbreaking grief of seeing someone you love in a casket. The range of emotion is a journey, and I’m fairly certain you’ll want to reread several of these poems. That’s the beauty tho...more
3 likes · like · see review
A sparkling treasury.
I had to close my Kindle, switch it off, and let Zimmermann’s words cloak me. There is not a single letter out of place in this collection that I feel unequipped to review. I urge you to buy this volume, read it, and read it again. ‘With Eyes Closed’ will stay with me forever; a rare, masterful stroke of genius sings from these pieces, I’m thrilled with this discovery. No cowardice resides here, all is faced, no shrinking away from painful memories, no hiding from the past,...more
I had to close my Kindle, switch it off, and let Zimmermann’s words cloak me. There is not a single letter out of place in this collection that I feel unequipped to review. I urge you to buy this volume, read it, and read it again. ‘With Eyes Closed’ will stay with me forever; a rare, masterful stroke of genius sings from these pieces, I’m thrilled with this discovery. No cowardice resides here, all is faced, no shrinking away from painful memories, no hiding from the past,...more
2 likes · like · see review
Robert's poetry collection is a fresh breath of reality but displayed in a poetic way. In his collection, as a poet he conveys his words in a way that tells a story without writing a novel. His poetry reaches out and sucks you in, leaving you to wonder what will happen next in a sense. His poems are so personal and heartfelt that there is no doubt the author put a lot of work, time, and effort into creating poetry that could reach his readers in relatable ways. The entire collection came out bea...more
At first glance, “From Where I Stand” gives the impression of a solid body of contemporary poetical work. Looking closer, it is revealed to be so much more. Zimmermann’s collection of work is viscerally stunning. He combines autobiographical themes and marries them with lyrical fiction elements to create bodies of work that speak to the soul.
He opens with “Cold Morning On The Lake Shore” - a poem which, to this reader, evokes the feeling of a dawning hope on the horizon that seeps through the cl...more
He opens with “Cold Morning On The Lake Shore” - a poem which, to this reader, evokes the feeling of a dawning hope on the horizon that seeps through the cl...more
i have just finished this and given i am not a big fan of poetry i did read this all the way to the end. it is a gritty and realistic life expressed through poetry and often it gets quite harsh in its realism, you get a real view into the authors mind with this book and i would recommend to all, it is book that can appeal to all types and i would class it as adult poetry. i would like to see more by this author especially if he wrote some fictional short stories. i rate this book five stars for...more
I don't know how you couldn't be moved by this collection. It was a series of poetry that was unrelated, however there was an ever present theme, a few that connected to each other. Hard to describe, but you really need to read it in one sitting. Some made me want to find the author and give him a hug, one in particular "Living with Koopa', that's just how connected you feel.
One made me smile, others broke my heart and some made tears prick at my eyes. I enjoyed it and felt a connection to it,...more
One made me smile, others broke my heart and some made tears prick at my eyes. I enjoyed it and felt a connection to it,...more
Robert opens himself to the reader in this work. He shares his pain, anger, observations as you travel with him through his poetry. Sometimes a writer will hide behind their work and say it is about someone else because of the fear of what others might think. Robert doesn't have that problem. He is honest with his emotions giving the reader a chance to take that honesty and turn it upon himself/herself. I have read the book, but I know I will return to it from time to time. He has voiced some of...more
I haven't read poetry in years...and years! There's a reason for that. I hated all those classes discussing what they could possibly mean. I mean really? Shouldn't you be able to tell that from what's written. This is NOTHING like that. The author takes you through a lot of emotions in a very real way. In a way that you can relate to. Definitely a MUST read for EVERYONE...especially if you don't think that you like poetry. You will probably change your mind!
Thank you, Robert, for this amazing contemporary poetry collection. I haven't cracked open a book of poetry in years, but I was admittedly curious about this one because I had heard such good things about it. More than poems, these were stories told in prose that felt very real and raw. Some were full of the simple beauty of the moment and others were full of heartache, anger, and pain. Wonderfully done.
I have been to some poetry open mics and slams, but am I generally not a poetry reader. These poems connect you to the author and make you feel like you know his life. Some poems are very raw, and others are on a lighter side. The only thing I could say, would be that it wasn't long enough. I wanted to keep reading.
This book is about this authors life. He opens his heart through beautiful, sad words written with pure soul. You feel for the little boy who's fears he shares with us all. You must admire the man who he has become today. His poetry is raw, spoken from life experience. Fall leaves, Will You Join Me, A Storm On Two Fronts, Blue Suit, just a few of my favs. The whole book blew me away. Thank you for sharing Rob. I would have given more than five stars...
From Where I Stand is a heartfelt collection of poetry. You get a glimpse into the poet’s life and mind. It has clearly been a tough journey and I admire him for writing it down for us all to read. My favorite is Cold Morning On The Lake Shore.
"Where I Stand" by Robert Zimmermann is a beautiful collection of poetry. As a woman who spent some years as a single parent, I found "Living with Koopa" especially heartbreaking. Well worth checking out. I think that you will love it.
5 likes · like · see review
Zimmerman is brave, honest, wounded & sexy. A young poet making his own way through a world in which the adults who reared him were hopelessly lost, he pens an earnest, honest account of moments in a wounded past. More than a collection of poems, this is a story. A story of a soul desirous of beauty, acceptance, release, healing, and redemption. I dare you to think of MarioKart in the same way after reading this collection.
Intense. Gives great insight into the author and his past.
note: received an arc copy for review.
This little book packs quite a punch. Zimmerman's poetry is sometimes raw, sometimes painful, and always honest. Fans of modern poetry will enjoy this volume, and I know I'm looking forward to more from this talented author.
May 08, 2013
Palak Patti
marked it as to-read
May 07, 2013
Cande S.
marked it as to-read
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Robert is a writer. Most of the time his thoughts will grace the pages in the form of poetry, but occasionally some short pieces of fiction will show their faces. His work mainly touches on experiences that shape who he is today and are emotionally engaging but easily accessible to those not familiar with much poetry.
When Robert isn’t writing for himself, he’s writing to help others. In his blog,...more
More about Robert Zimmermann...
When Robert isn’t writing for himself, he’s writing to help others. In his blog,...more
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Nov 08, 2012 02:26pm
I feel that ratings should come from fans...more
Nov 08, 2012 04:59pm
Nov 08, 2012 09:23pm