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Alan Travis Braddock

Updated: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 03:00 pm

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Biography

I was born in 1932. I started writing juvenile rubbish years ago but haven't published anything. I did modern languages and history at school, went into the RAF, learned about electronics and fell into the computer industry. Now I am with the Black Horse Poets of Wakefield and they listen to me very politely once a month. I have been a rock climber and mountaineer, a marathon runner and a mycologist (which I still am). I try to write stuff that says that readers haven't looked at things properly - I don't believe that readers are interested in The Poet, what they prefer is what he/she is trying to say. The poem attached is called 'Newsreel' and was based on an incident in the Vietnam War. It was included in the Black Horse Poets' Anthology 'Full Rein' 2013. The word 'Photographered' is intended.

Samples

NEWSREEL War hates to find its survivors whole. In a steel chair on canvas Photographered onto an empty wall The woman held still her own leg-less child; Flesh of her flesh, and her flesh too The bombs took. Her stumps were hid, not to embarrass the war and a nice clean voice told of it. Dirt smudged her cheek, her blouse – If that was sitting she sat proudly, she sat beautifully ... if that was sitting… Neither did the child weep: Some man gave her that and some other broke the pillars of that gate by which he entered – - I don’t suppose he knew. But the war knew. His messengers, with a clear eye are all around you. See – razors, engines, boats and tanks even towns and silence are his, and that deaf smash, that foul silence Ripped off half her life, nearly all her son’s. When should he care who else may go lame? For War has no want of legs, Needs only the generals and the hate; His eye has a terrible sharp sight for the weak, for the artless, the blind. Though now and then he may catch some bloody villain, some politicker, and some big one like a great gut-gaffed fish struggles on his nasty hook – - he can yet be content with these Pretty innocents. Causes and effects there are at last – No Explanations: or perhaps Explanations - but no excuses; Necessities – but no excuses; Rationalities - but no excuses; Politicians, embassies – but no excuses; Creeds, nationalities, faiths, religions, lousy rotten ideologies Starvation, pestilence and famine, Torture and rape But don't tell me excuses, no damn excuses. Now tell the butchers that the soldiers say You never hear the shell that spreads your head like butter in the muddy fields, the dirty, muddy, fields. ATB

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.

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Comments

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kealan coady

Tue 12th Mar 2019 13:26

Hey Alan, thanks so much for your lovrly comments on my poems. I don't actually have a collection published but if you wanna read more then I have a page on Facebook: kealan coady-writer. I've got loads on there. Thanks again man, much appreciated. I really hope you enjoy

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Alan Travis Braddock

Sun 13th Jan 2019 20:32

That's my new hat in the picture....?

d.knape

Fri 11th Jan 2019 17:22

damn. 1932?
you look good for 87.
i wish i looked as debonair as you.
what has this got to do with poetry?
nothin'.
but it's the best I could do.

wink.

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Mae Foreman

Mon 7th Jan 2019 13:46

Thank you for your support Alan! I love your sample. Very strong words. What better source for poetry, or any creative work really, than personal experience and trauma. A picture is worth a thousand words!
Now, imagine a picture that is made of words...! I always love this kind of writting! Kudos!?

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jennifer Malden

Tue 27th Nov 2018 20:13

Hello Alan, thanks for the kind words about The Legacy.Was interested to hear you're a mycologist. I knew dead mens' trumpets (not the latin name) from Italy, where they dry them and sprinkle the powder on food, rather like truffles. I found a lot of funghi in Angus in my sister's wood, so took them home to look them up, and there found the amethyst deceivers! That book, however, said they were toxic! Here many people go looking for funghi in autumn especially, and there is a special office where you can take your catch to have it vetted, as people die every year from eating poisonous ones. Interesting you went to Tiscali - the wild flowers in Sardinia are wonderful late April early May. Entire roadsides of asphodel, orchids, French lavender, marvellous thistles, rock roses, rosemary, Aegean Lilies, witches fingers, Barbary nut, and later sea squill and those beautiful sea daffodils. A real Eden.
Thanks again, Jennifer

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Tommy Carroll

Mon 26th Nov 2018 17:35

touché Alan re my verse on Brexit.

Tommy

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