Tales of Paraphrenia ─ A Collection of Poems

There are many kinds of madness. Some known and some unknown. Some seen and some unseen. Some cured and some not curable. All beings who claim to be human are born in moments of madness; not just in mayhem, but in the mundane, in the everyday, in this moment.

Look in any direction, the evidence is abundant.

So, the questions become how do our minds and hearts respond? How do our moral codes adjust? Do we have a moral code? How much do we contribute to the propagation of madness? How much do we conscientiously reject it in our daily lives?

These are some of the themes and dreams explored within the spine of this book. As a fellow sufferer, I hope, in my own feeble way, to shed some light where there is darkness; or, at least, create a meaningful dialogue of the soul.

Born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Now resides in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn with his beloved wife of 32 years, Sherylle Hochman, and beloved cat of 12 years, Zimmy.

Graduate of Brooklyn College.

Spent many years living in a variety of places with a variety of people in this country and the one to the north.

Co-published, with a long-time and treasured friend, the now obscure and infamous Grinning Idiot. A literary quarterly that produced approximately three quarters of rebellious literariness over the span of two years early in the dark Reagan 80s. Some of those who were kind enough to contribute previously unpublished material were: William S. Burroughs, Charles Bukowski, John Clellon Holmes, R. Crumb, Harvey Pekar, Crad Kilodney, Raymond Kennedy, and Richard Grayson to name a few.

Published some essays and verse in now defunct independent publications.

Dabbled in songwriting with a very talented musician who happened to be a dear childhood friend. Together we produced a bevy of forgettable songs, including three that ended up in equally forgettable movies.

And thanks to a new old friend whose encouragement and inspiration is unparalleled. It is an honor and privilege to call him my friend, even if he is a member of the legal profession (in point of fact, a pro bono lawyer).

Retired from the position of Grant Writer at the New York City Housing Authority, there is much time to reflect and regret and rejoice.

Both parents are deceased.