Overview

Poetry, humor, illustrations, a personal examination of mental challenges along with a deep grasp of spiritual matters infuse this big, readable work by Rich Melcher.Comprising 55 reflections and two ""postscripts,"" Melcher's collection is an enjoyable, random ramble through events of his life, showing how major issues such as bipolar disorder and Biblical truths have influenced him, along with significant encounters with people along the way. Reflection 20 introduces Melcher's RROCKSS Code, a strategy for channeling energies and conducting one's life more positively: Respect, Responsibility, Observation, Cooperation, Knowledge, Safety, and Service make up the Code, explained in detail with cogent examples from the author's experience.

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Reviews

""... Melcher's wide-ranging and honest exploration provides a unique perspective into the life of a man who, it seems, was born to write. The reader comes to know well the inner thoughts and poetic ponderings of Melcher, who grew up the youngest of nine in a Catholic family. He is very open and forthcoming about having been diagnosed, at age 17, with bipolar disorder and provides numerous examples-at times humorous-of how the highs and lows have impacted his life through college, in the church, in relationships, with his family, and more. Melcher's chronicle is not only a highly interesting book by an author who obviously has a gift for writing, but it also serves as a baseline source of information about bipolar disorder, both for the patient and in the lives of those close to him. With mental health issues meeting memoir, this hodgepodge of insights, personal stories, and religious commentary inspires with its poetry and poignant optimism..."" - The US Review of Books (Reviewed by Jonah Meyer) ""Poetry, humor, illustrations, a personal examination of mental challenges along with a deep grasp of spiritual matters infuse this big, readable work by Rich Melcher. Comprising 55 reflections and two ""postscripts,"" Melcher's collection is an enjoyable, random ramble through events of his life, showing how major issues such as bipolar disorder and Biblical truths have influenced him, along with significant encounters with people along the way. Melcher has bipolar disorder, which has influenced many of his actions and choices, including his choice of a profession. Another especially moving poem is ""Butterfly Blind Spot,"" in which he observes that butterflies never see their wings - ""velvet Picasso banners"" - identifying only by what they can do, not what they are or the marvelous effect they might have on others. He urges the reader to tell others of their hidden beauties. Such poems are not only brilliant in metaphor but touching in their rich use of language. Melcher has given himself the pen name ""Corsair,"" denoting the World War II fighter plane as an image of uplift and freedom. The subject matter of his reflections is headspinning in its range. There is his wish, as a white person, to wear a revealing ""African Mask"" and become in some way more black, seeing it as a kind of ""emancipation."" And in a totally different modality, he expresses his happiness at finding that Saint John, so often touted for the verse 3:16 which seems exclusive in its message, also spoke of ""other sheep"" - an inspiringly inclusive message. Melcher's writing gifts are fully developed here in this varied, thought-provoking collection, and his readers will hope for more to come."" - ""... Melcher's wide-ranging and honest exploration provides a unique perspective into the life of a man who, it seems, was born to write. The reader comes to know well the inner thoughts and poetic ponderings of Melcher, who grew up the youngest of nine in a Catholic family. He is very open and forthcoming about having been diagnosed, at age 17, with bipolar disorder and provides numerous examples-at times humorous-of how the highs and lows have impacted his life through college, in the church, in relationships, with his family, and more. Melcher's chronicle is not only a highly interesting book by an author who obviously has a gift for writing, but it also serves as a baseline source of information about bipolar disorder, both for the patient and in the lives of those close to him. With mental health issues meeting memoir, this hodgepodge of insights, personal stories, and religious commentary inspires with its poetry and poignant optimism..."" - The US Review of Books (Reviewed by Jonah Meyer)

Author Information

Melcher has bipolar disorder, which has influenced many of his actions and choices, including his choice of a profession. He has worked as a teacher among students with special needs, and offers a lively description of some of the pitfalls of being a substitute or assistant teacher in a poem aptly titled ""The Tiger Without Any Teeth."" Another especially moving poem is ""Butterfly Blind Spot,"" in which he observes that butterflies never see their wings - ""velvet Picasso banners"" - identifying only by what they can do, not what they are or the marvelous effect they might have on others. He urges the reader to tell others of their hidden beauties. Such poems are not only brilliant in metaphor but touching in their rich use of language. Melcher has given himself the pen name ""Corsair,"" denoting the World War II fighter plane as an image of uplift and freedom. The subject matter of his reflections is head spinning in its range. He expresses his happiness at finding that Saint John, so often touted for the verse 3:16 which seems exclusive in its message, also spoke of ""other sheep"" - an inspiringly inclusive message. Melcher's writing gifts are fully developed here in this varied, thought-provoking collection, and his readers will hope for more to come.

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