The poems in this volume are mostly “Not Like Chocolate.” They are not sweet, although some of them arouse appetites without ever really satisfying them completely. They are not often soothing, although some are clearly intended to be funny. Some are best served with red wine, as dark chocolate can be with great impact. Some are light as milk chocolate, and most are more weighty than chocolate should ever be. All are the products of the my memories, dreams, fantasies, and reflections. Like most students of the poetic art, I have had many lives and more than one job and more than one appearance to the world. Even Kafka was a loyal and valued employee. In short, I am a man who has worked for many years on this planet, all the while believing that for me true reality was elsewhere. Despite that delightful handicap, I filled these roles over the years: Lover, Father, Husband, Scholar, Steelworker, Soldier, Spy, Professor, Salesman Buyer, Department Store Manager, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Sales Manager, Coach, Entrepreneur, Lead Guitar, Recruiter and more. So why not Poet? My goal in this consuming vocation is not to dazzle with great new revelations, but to arouse in you and in me, the joys of nostalgia and perhaps even inspiration. I hope you take them seriously, and enjoy them as if they were, in fact, just like Chocolate. C.G. Schott
C.G. “Carl” Schott is an accomplished poet and historian. He currently lectures in the field of European History--Ancient, Medieval, and Modern--as well as on the craft of writing poetry. He has published books and articles in the fields of business, history, and poetry. His most recent work, MISSION TO SAINT PETERSBURG, is a detailed account of the diplomatic history of Europe in the 1870´s. It centers on the career of the French Ambassador to Russia during that period. It relies upon extensive research in unpublished French, German, and Russian diplomatic correspondence. Carl earned a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and has had a wide-ranging career. Aside from his academic lectures, he also is an entertaining and exciting speaker on European Cruise Ships. He has also published two books of original poetry, NOT LIKE CHOCOLATE and NOT HERE, NOT NOW. His business book is entitled IS A PHARMACEUTICAL SALES CAREER RIGHT FOR ME? Carl lives in Tampa with his wife Ilona.