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Ann Bracken

POET. AUTHOR. CREATOR OF POSSIBILITIES.

Month: December 2014

Poetry Reading: Third Thursday Series in Takoma Park

December 22, 2014amusingpoetLeave a comment

I was a featured poet at the Takoma Park Third Thursday Series in November of 2014. The Poet Laureate of Takoma Park, Merrill Leffler, is the host and the other readers are Rob Soley, Marybeth Hatem, and Marting Fitzpatrick. My reading begins at minute 25:51 and concludes with 38:18. Enjoy!

http://takomaparkmd.gov/citytv/watch

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Nominated for Pushcart Prize – 2014 and 2016

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Testimonials

Love doing an altered book. Ann, you were a great teacher. Very kind, respectful, and considerate.
"Loved doing the altered book."
“This is a terrific collection. “Sometimes a Poet”, “Voices In My Ear”, “Wingless Bird”; are all wonderful poems. It’s hard to choose favorites. All these kids, Angie, Horace, Magic, Ben are vivid in your writing. I hope teachers and school administrators can read these poems and learn something.”
  Peter Dan Levin
A terrific collection
“What a beautiful, poignant collection of poems it is. Painful to read the journey of the little girl who had to take on so much responsibility. In this day of openness about addiction & mental illness, your poems provide a view into a personal story within a societal pact of secrecy and shame. Though as a society we still  have work to do to de-stigmatize these conditions &  bring compassion to the fore, we’re moving in the right direction!  I applaud your courage and unflinching stance, as we… Read more
"...your poems provide a view into a personal story within a societal pact of secrecy and shame. "
“to say that I was blown away by your poems, would be a gross underestimation!…I want every administrator, every new teacher, everyone to read your book.”
Binki McKenna, Media Specialist
amazing poems
Ann Bracken’s book, The Altar of Innocence, explores the cycle of her mother’s mental illness and alcoholism and its legacy in her own life. With searing honesty and gripping details, the book creates an unforgettable portrait not just of two women but also of the ailing cultures that surround them. At the end there is an image of a ceramic heart that has been glued back together—”even broken, it was beautiful”—that makes a powerful figure both for the soul of the poet, forged through trauma, … Read more
"the book creates an unforgettable portrait not just of two women but also of the ailing cultures that surround them. "
Many of the most reluctant readers and writers in the grade were writing some amazing poems. The students felt that they could be creative due to an acceptance by Ms. Bracken for all students’ work. Liz Morris, Reading Specialist, Howard County Public Schools
"...most reluctant readers and writers in the grade were writing some amazing poems."
“I just listened to your interview and it was so moving and rich. Your poetry reading is only surpassed by your poetry. Though I think poetry is meant to be read aloud so the reading and the work are really one. Just beautiful. Thank you.” Eileen C.  
A moving and rich interview
Ann Bracken is an out-of-the-box thinker. She is called to shed light on the complex, universal issues of human nature, and she does it so creatively. Bev Hitchins
"an out-of-the-box thinker."
“Bracken’s poetry compresses the truth to a sharpness that penetrates the heart. We meet the men who were Bracken’s writing students, and through her work, these prisoners are given the respect and understanding they never had before. Once You’re Inside can ignite a passion for change instead of the public apathy that exists about prison reform. This is strong, powerful writing elevated by wisdom and courage.” ~Grace Cavalieri
Strong, powerful writing elevated by wisdom and courage
” I couldn’t stop reading Once You’re Inside, your new poetry book. I experienced so many emotions. Frustration, Hope, Anger. Then respect for your courage going into this broken system.” ~Brian England
Couldn't stop reading

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