What do you think?
Rate this book
I am a broken man You can't break me
This second, expanded edition brings together in one volume four books of poetry by Eric Fischer. Present are all three from the series, “Little Job’s book of broken poems”, as well as “The Crow’s Nest”, a thematically related book of deeply personal observations concerning loss and ‘end of life’.
‘Little Job’ observes the uncertain lives of extremely disabled children and the doubts, agony and yearning of their parents.
The trials of these children are well known to the author, having lived as full time caregiver to his extremely disabled son for over sixteen years. Above all, the poems are an attempt to firmly place the disenfranchised in the pantheons of our collective humanity.
In the poems of “The Crow’s Nest”, loss and lost potential form central themes inspired, once again, by the author’s experiences both professionally as well as personally. Acutely observing elements of these dark places which eventually confront us all, he finds hidden in moments of anguish, that the germination of love can be the great redeemer.
‘Little Job’ observes the uncertain lives of extremely disabled children and the doubts, agony and yearning of their parents.
The trials of these children are well known to the author, having lived as full time caregiver to his extremely disabled son for over sixteen years. Above all, the poems are an attempt to firmly place the disenfranchised in the pantheons of our collective humanity.
In the poems of “The Crow’s Nest”, loss and lost potential form central themes inspired, once again, by the author’s experiences both professionally as well as personally. Acutely observing elements of these dark places which eventually confront us all, he finds hidden in moments of anguish, that the germination of love can be the great redeemer.
110 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2014
301 people want to read
About the author
Eric Fischer
82 books9 followersDutch-born Canadian living in Israel. Physical therapist since 1990 specializing in Shiatsu, ortho-ergonomics and pain management. Former full time caregiver to catastrophically disabled son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 29, 2014
Eric Fischer and I share an experience: caring for a child with significant disabilities. In some ways we are brothers, not in arms, but a different kind of struggle... a struggle of endurance... a struggle to keep one's sanity.
After finishing, I set this book of poems aside and stared into the blankness. I know the feelings he evokes with his words. I have felt my life shatter before me. I've looked at its remnants and wondered if I'd ever adjust, ever have the energy to reassemble it... or even care to. The physical exhaustion: I ached for sleep like a starving man, like a strung-out junkie, like the undead. I understood the difference between merely tired and delirium. The emotional exhaustion: I could feel my very soul ripping apart. I learned that courage was getting up each day to face a life that only got worse, and doing what had to be done... no matter how unpleasant, how painful, how utterly pointless...
Eric Fischer knows this life. His book proclaims him a broken man that cannot be broken. I like that sentiment very much. It captures my feeling exactly. You can't hurt me any more than I've already been hurt. I have been broken... and those shattered remains are unbreakable.
Bravo.
After finishing, I set this book of poems aside and stared into the blankness. I know the feelings he evokes with his words. I have felt my life shatter before me. I've looked at its remnants and wondered if I'd ever adjust, ever have the energy to reassemble it... or even care to. The physical exhaustion: I ached for sleep like a starving man, like a strung-out junkie, like the undead. I understood the difference between merely tired and delirium. The emotional exhaustion: I could feel my very soul ripping apart. I learned that courage was getting up each day to face a life that only got worse, and doing what had to be done... no matter how unpleasant, how painful, how utterly pointless...
Eric Fischer knows this life. His book proclaims him a broken man that cannot be broken. I like that sentiment very much. It captures my feeling exactly. You can't hurt me any more than I've already been hurt. I have been broken... and those shattered remains are unbreakable.
Bravo.
May 1, 2014
A heartfelt, indepth anthology of poetry spanning 20 years which deals with extreme caregiving for a disabled child. Eric's poetry reflects a deep humanity and insight into life and into death, Each poem is a meditation, to be read, to be reflected upon and to be integrated into one's experience. If you are the parent and caregiver of of a disabled child, if you know someone who has a disabled child or lost a child to death, if you are interested in probing the depths of living a worthy life...you must read this book of poetry. These works will touch your soul and perhaps make you a better person. A true must read!
May 9, 2014
I probably wasn't as interested in this book as I should have been, since I am younger and do not have as broad of a vocabulary as Mr. Fischer does. This book was enlightening, but not as thought provoking as I hoped it would be.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews