From Where I Stand

by Robert Zimmermann

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.

Genres: Poetry

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2012

About the author

For authors looking to inquire about reviews, my review policy can be found here: http://alifeamongthepages.wordpress.c...

Robert has been writing poetry since the eleventh grade. His writing started as impulsive rambling, but soon became a passion. A few years later, he attended SUNY Potsdam where he received a B.A. in Creative Writing.

His main focus is poetry, but he's also known for dabbling in short fiction, and at times erotica. Robert has also created the blog A Life Among The Pages, where he posts about his writing, love of books, and reviews books.

When he's not reading or writing, Robert enjoys spending time with his dog, Deuc. Deuc ran out of the woods in August 2011 and they have been inseparable ever since.

Reviews

[Robert Zimmermann]

I'm the poet who wrote this....I won't be rating it for obvious reasons. I hope those who read it enjoy it :)

[Ben Ditmars · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Charity Parkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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.

[Cinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 home in my case, since I found them relatable to certain aspects of my past; that contributed to my liking them even more. I really don't feel familiar enough with poetry as to write a more professional review. I just can say that this poetry collection is a great addition to any book collection, and it will take you on a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions that won't leave you indifferent. Highly recommendable.

[Nikki Jefford · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 gifts we’d ever received.”

Super Nintendo made a similarly unforgettable entry into me and my siblings’ lives and, crazy enough, the only time I can remember our dad sitting down with us, being nice was when we all took turns and played the games together.

Memoir is one of my favorite genres, poetry one of my least. So I was taken off guard by the way Zimmermann managed to use the intimate aspects I love so much in memoir and turn them into poetry.

One of my favorite poems was “Childhood Fantasy” because I related (and loved it) so much. As a child I alternated between being a champion ice skater, bike racer, and Charlie’s Angel. As a teenager, an actress. I had a damn busy schedule growing up.

And then these lines word for word:
“Years ago, I had a father.
I could call him my dad,
But I don’t.”

The poems unsettled me the way music sometimes does. An overwhelming amount of emotion is conveyed in a few words. In the space of a page you feel as though a whole history has been revealed.

Two more of my favorites were “Stuck” and “Return.” I lost my grandmother in a similar way. By the time I left Alaska, she could no longer walk or feed herself. I kept telling her I’d come back for a visit, but I never did and then she died.

Read the collection if you dare. It might just stir up something long forgotten and true. That’s the power of Robert Zimmermann’s poetry.

[Tbird London · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit that I am not very educated in the skill of writing/reading poetry. My husband loves poetry so he has exposed me to some of the greats. I just recently met Robert Zimmermann and he asked me to read his book. I still won’t claim to understand most poetry, but I can honestly say that his work affected me and my emotions.

This book contains poems that led me on a journey of life struggles and the courage to become comfortable in my own skin. Usually poems are worded in a way that I just can not connect to, but with Mr. Zimmermann’s writing, I found that I was absorbed into his words, I was finding connections to my own life. I was feeling that I wasn’t alone in some of the struggles life has provided for me. I also found comfort in the fact that he gave me words for emotions and events that often left me speechless.

You won’t be surrounded by glitter, unicorns and rainbows in this book, but you will come away with hope, peace and the confidence that the answers and strength can come from within. The goal is to be who you were meant to be and to find peace in that fact alone.

I really hope everyone will give themselves the gift of buying this book and taking some time to read it. As I have stated you don’t have to be a lover of poetry to understand his work and find connections to your own world. Well done Mr. Zimmermann, thank you for bringing your book to my attention and for allowing me the chance to review it. This was truly out of my comfort zone, but I walked away feeling very blessed for the experience.

[Christy Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 were times that I almost felt like a voyeur, watching someone pour his heart out, confess his sins. It was an interesting experience. But, that is what is so beautiful about this book, it was an actual experience.

The Bad: The poetry was written in a more narrative style, with a very distinctive voice. I wouldn’t say that this was bad, but it may not be a preference for some readers.

Bottom Line: If you’ve brushed off poetry as only for elitist, literary types and haven’t given it a second look since high school, give this collection a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Some of my personal favorites: “With Eyes Closed”; “Fall Leaves”; “Moist”; “Restless Night”; “Change of Address”; “Together Forever”; “In the Winter Wood”; “Your Blue Suit”; “Signed, Your Son”; “The Books on the Shelf”; “Game of Love”

[Tara Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 clouds into the very heart of you. A low turbulence that morphs into something quiet and beautiful. And that’s how I would describe the majority of themes in this collection. Dark and turbulent, yet moving through periods of clarity and beauty.

Zimmermann has put his soul in your hands, and I confess, there were moments where I was overwhelmed. The experiences are painted in vivid colors, real and raw, so emotionally charged that at times it will grab you and refuse to let go. This collection is truly contemporary poetry at its best. I enjoyed every word and look forward to reading more of Zimmermann’s for years to come.

Five out of five stars. Period.

[Author Kizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 its realism and expression of emotion.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

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...

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Helle Gade · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Redneckarmywife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense. Gives great insight into the author and his past.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Zimmermann's "From Where I Stand" is the first collection of poetry I've read from the author, and as such it's my introduction to both his life and narrative style respectively.

I feel bad about saying that the collection as a whole didn't gel with me quite as much as I wanted it to, though I appreciated that it was a short read and an insight into the author's life and respective trials. I think of the collection of poems, there were five that stood out to me, while the rest felt like they had potential, but didn't quite get off the ground. Zimmermann commands his use of line breaks and verse form structure well for most of the poems (a few are shaky when reading them back, because some truncated the image and ended on articles of the statements, which in my experience is a no-no in poetic structure - you always want to end on the action or verb or image that you're conveying and have reasons behind that respective break for maximum impact).

But the biggest problem I saw among some of the poems, which is probably the reason why it didn't gel with me, was the imagery felt lacking for the emotions conveyed. There's a certain strength to using what images you can to convey the emotion, rather than the emotion being spelled out in the form - it's like having the age old rule of writing: show don't tell your audience what you're thinking/feeling from an event, and allow the economy of words to portray it in that sense.

I really liked the poems "With Eyes Closed", "A Storm on Two Fronts", "Grey and Tattered" and "L.O.V.E." But my favorite was probably "Benefit of A Morning Walk" which had some of the most potent lines contained in these stanzas:

"The sky, a fresco
painted on the world’s ceiling
with me, the only one
to take it all in.

The moment passed swiftly,
when the clouds parted
and the vibrant colors blended
into a monochromatic backdrop of
blue"

Nice progression of images there, indeed.

Overall, even if this didn't quite hit me as much as I would've liked, I still would read more from Zimmermann's compilations in the future.

Overall score: 2.5/5 stars

Note: I won this book from the author in a giveaway on BookLikes (my very first giveaway entered at that. =) )

[Thomas Winship · Rating 5 out of 5]

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, misleading, and/or nebulous, or c) some combination thereof. I’m all for a strategic bit of symbolism or a well-placed double entendre here and there, but most of the time just say what you mean to say, for cryin’ out loud!

Outburst aside, Robert Zimmermann’s poetry tells me that he’s a man after my own heart. He says what he means to say and lays it out there in language even blockheads like me can understand. And appreciate. When he writes of his relationship with his parents—the pain, the confusion, the fear—every emotion leaps off the page and burrows into the reader. For a brief period, you become Robert Zimmermann. It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. It’s magical.

Don’t get me wrong, some of the poems have a real WTF quality about them … but that’s my shortcoming, not the poet’s. From Where I Stand is an amazing collection of poems and I’m glad I took the time to enjoy them.

[Sarah Fairbairn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just from reading the forward you already know your about to see a man’s soul laid raw on the pages that follow!

Now normally I look for myself in poetry and I find the more I’ll like a poem is due to whether or not I can place its emotions in my past or present. I went into this collection telling myself, you are not looking for yourself, you are here to learn about this man. Robert really has given us a look at the emotions and experiences he has been exposed to. After reading this collection of poetry I appreciate the man whose blog I’ve come to enjoy reading even more.

I really do think this is a great collection of work. Yes I did prefer the poems I could find myself in, but I found myself drawn into all the poems and at times wanting to jump through the pages into the past and smack Robert’s father in the face.

I find it hard to say I enjoyed these poems, because there is a lot of pain and anger and you can’t really enjoy that, but the collection was emotionally beautiful and I am glad I read it and I will read it again I am sure.

I read to experience what my life can't give me and to escape my day to day and this book certainly did that, it took me and placed me in another’s life.

I would recommend this collection not just for poetry fans, as I think it’s more of a book for people who like to feel what others feel, to get a glimpse into other peoples life, anyone with empathy could get into this book.

[Rachel McClellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 poems are gritty and dark, but often laced with an innocent beauty.

A few of my favorite poems are Blue Suit, A Storm on Two Fronts, Will You Join Me?, and Grey and Tattered.

Robert Zimmerman's collection, From Where I Stand, managed to make me feel every kind of emotion I could think of from happiness to sadness, anger, resentment, fear, you name it. And some of his poems hit such a familiar nerve, I felt like Zimmermann had cut the words right out of my heart. I highly recommend this collection.

[Jessica Fortunato · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. Both testify to the hardship of growing up and putting away childhood things.
Don't misunderstand though, each poem in this compendium is relatable to any reader despite age or gender. I rarely read modern poetry. However, Zimmermann's work has seriously pushed me to delve into the world of poets speaking from my generation.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 the things I have felt myself. It is a great read.

[Suzy Ayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

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, and that is what great poetry is.

[Kimberly Cheeseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the way Robert expressed how he felt about different situations in life. As I read this book of poems - I felt I could relate on many levels. I also enjoyed being able to be inside someone's head and how they/he felt in many cases about particular relationships.

I am glad I will have this book to look back on and refer to when I want to "not" feel lonely in life and that there are others out there feeling like I do.

Thank you Rob for this book!!!
I look forward to reading more of your work

[A. End · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I know very little about the writing and reading of poetry, these poems were very easy for me to read and get a sense of what the author what thinking and feeling at the time of writing them. some of them even hit home a little bit. I look forward to checking out the other works from this author.

[Jen McConnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first venture into poetry. (Thanks to the Book Riot 2015 Read Harder Challenge.) I was drawn to this collection because the writing is fairly straight-forward. I appreciated that the author's message was clear. It was darker than I expected. I admire how the author was able to bare his soul. It felt like the poetry was a type of therapy for him.

[Theresa Leone Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There should be a 3.5 rating; that is the rating I would have given. Some of the poems are exceptionally good but poetry is art, and like art, it has to speak to a person. All of the poems here might have spoken to a different reader, for others maybe none would have; it is a very personal matter. For me, quite a few did. Recommend!

[S.M. Boyce]

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. His work made me start reading poetry again.