Step Off the Edge

by Thomas Fritz


Formats

Softcover
$15.50
$11.25
Softcover
$11.25

Book Details

Language : English
Publication Date : 7/21/2003

Format : Softcover
Dimensions : 6x9
Page Count : 176
ISBN : 9781410749024

About the Book

Experts from the Preface:

...stem from the musings of my early years to the present.  Some of the poems were written before I even knew about my disability. Others are about dealing with the labyrinths of changes my body was going through because of the disability during my late teens and twenties. Still others embody the concept of not knowing how long I would live...nterwoven in all of them is the mystery of life and the wonder that the world has to offer... from feelings of love and heartbreak to deep dark thoughts of depression and suicide...In times of extreme disorientation and depression the writing was dark and self-absorbed...the writings show an utter confusion about life, some show pure unadulterated pain and rage about and at society, toward myself and my disability...other parts show sensitivity and humor towards love and life. Included is the very first poem I wrote in the margins of a homework assignment in school, Red Glow...also included are published poems, which were published during my college years. And a poem that is telling of some children’s lives and is an award winning poem, Armchair Monster.


About the Author

Thom Fritz lives in Venice, California. He grew up there in a somewhat isolated and awkward childhood. At 16 he was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare progressive disorder. Now he knew why his early years were so difficult and confusing. In spite of his disability, or because of it, he built a three-wheeled motorcycle that was modified to carry his, then manual, wheelchair and in his early twenties he lived the Biker lifestyle. He studied printing in high school and worked clumsily as a printing pressman. Then in college he studied printing management and was employed as a printing estimator. Later he went on to earn his Masters degree in psychology and in 1996 he became a licensed M.F.T.. He has since put his license on the Inactive list and at 43 is once again searching for who he is.