So great to have Frank's writing on seventysomething. He has what amounts to total recall of a time and place that resonates deeply for many other people and opens up a whole other world for those of us stuck uptown.
Great writing, Frank. Women have their own communities but not based on survival. It's interesting to read how men find each other at such deep levels.
Thanks Peggy. If men's communities are based on survival and I think to a great extent they are, what do you think is the bedrock of women's communities?
Thanks for sharing this story. It's tempting to think of those days as freer for young people than today. But when you speak of Vietnam, the story quickly shifts to how scary life was for so many young men.
Vietnam was a very scary place. My Brooklyn neighborhood, Bushwick, was cool but in the mid-late '50s when we traveled to places like Bed-Stuy or the Lower East Side to score things always felt pretty dicey.
Thank you Sharon. Brooklyn in the 1950s, a time and place that no longer exists, but that I had the good fortune to be a part of was a magical place. It was home, and always felt that way until it didn't. Wonderful to hear from you as you live through your own Italian adventures. Hope you and Nelson are well.
Your writing brings me back to “the neighborhood “ seems like several lifetimes ago but so vividly described by you. Thanks for digging in the roots—a good reminder of where it all began.
One of the things I find most interesting about the neighborhood is that I rarely forget a particular event. If I remember that something took place, than I can picture it and put it into words
Powerful and provocative writing. I grew up in Brooklyn too, but in a different world from yours. Your story gave me a visceral sense of what it meant to grow up in the world where gangs and toughness were central. Thank you for channeling all that you experienced into the power of words.
Grand Army Plaza. Born 1945. Went to Ethical Culture School, then Adelphi Academy. After I read your piece, I was reflecting on the vastness between your experience and mine. And the world views that arose out of those perspectives… And how in the world can we find ways to listen and expand in order to understand? Minx@CoachMinx.com.
So great to have Frank's writing on seventysomething. He has what amounts to total recall of a time and place that resonates deeply for many other people and opens up a whole other world for those of us stuck uptown.
Thanks for featuring my work. Brooklyn, at least in the '50s, is definitely downtown.
Great writing, Frank. Women have their own communities but not based on survival. It's interesting to read how men find each other at such deep levels.
Thanks Peggy. If men's communities are based on survival and I think to a great extent they are, what do you think is the bedrock of women's communities?
Support and sharing feelings. You know how we are with feelings: feeliings, feelings, feelings.
In my experience men do look to other men for support. Feelings, those of us that feel, usually engage with women.
Thanks for sharing this story. It's tempting to think of those days as freer for young people than today. But when you speak of Vietnam, the story quickly shifts to how scary life was for so many young men.
Vietnam was a very scary place. My Brooklyn neighborhood, Bushwick, was cool but in the mid-late '50s when we traveled to places like Bed-Stuy or the Lower East Side to score things always felt pretty dicey.
Beautiful, Frank. I truly enjoy your Brooklyn stories. And of course, knowing you now as the writer who has gone through many lifetimes.
Thank you Sharon. Brooklyn in the 1950s, a time and place that no longer exists, but that I had the good fortune to be a part of was a magical place. It was home, and always felt that way until it didn't. Wonderful to hear from you as you live through your own Italian adventures. Hope you and Nelson are well.
Frankie, Good work! zingy guy
Thanks Larry. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for this, Frank. Visceral and poignant.
Thanks Jan. Appreciate your response.
Your writing brings me back to “the neighborhood “ seems like several lifetimes ago but so vividly described by you. Thanks for digging in the roots—a good reminder of where it all began.
One of the things I find most interesting about the neighborhood is that I rarely forget a particular event. If I remember that something took place, than I can picture it and put it into words
Powerful and provocative writing. I grew up in Brooklyn too, but in a different world from yours. Your story gave me a visceral sense of what it meant to grow up in the world where gangs and toughness were central. Thank you for channeling all that you experienced into the power of words.
Thank you Minx. Appreciate the feedback. Where in Brooklyn did you grow up and when?
Grand Army Plaza. Born 1945. Went to Ethical Culture School, then Adelphi Academy. After I read your piece, I was reflecting on the vastness between your experience and mine. And the world views that arose out of those perspectives… And how in the world can we find ways to listen and expand in order to understand? Minx@CoachMinx.com.