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Ann Bracken

POET. AUTHOR. CREATOR OF POSSIBILITIES.

“Great combo of organization and hands-on opportunity.”

Great combo of organization and hands-on opportunity. You are a wonderful facilitator — enthusiastic, welcoming, and encouraging. Kit Turen

"Great combo of organization and hands-on opportunity."

Next Article “an out-of-the-box thinker.”

Purchase my books

Click here to purchase print books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop or purchase eBook for Apple, Nook and Scribd.

Nominated for Pushcart Prize – 2014 and 2016

Meet Ann Bracken

Where to hear Ann read

Ann Bracken

A Musing Poet Posts

A Musing Poet Posts

Testimonials

“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. "

” I am able to hear the environment of the prison building as I read one transcript after another of the despair, horror, and hope. There should be a Nobel prize for going into the dark with others who live there on a permanent basis, but then again, darkness is a state of mind. Thank you for your beautiful work, Ann.” ~Patti Tronolone

Beautiful work!

“Your writing is truly moving and beautiful – a gift to all of us.” Liz C.

"A gift..."

“In clear, everyday language, Ann Bracken shows us the power of words to redeem the worst sort of misery. “The Altar of Innocence” chronicles the ultimately triumphant journey of a sensitive child through the minefield of alcoholism and depression. Ann’s beautiful spirit shines through in every poem.” Barbara Quick, , author of Vivaldi’s Virgins and A Golden Web

"triumphant journey of a sensitive child..."

“Her journey of self-discovery and healing provide an alternative to the traditional mental health care system that fails so many of us with more pills and more appointments.”
~Angela Peacock, MSW, mental health advocate and subject of the award-winning documentary, Medicating Normal

I saw myself in her story

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."

This poetry residency made the children love poetry in a new way. Ann’s passion for poetry rubbed off on every student and helped them to be successful. Michele Barron, Teacher, Howard County Public Schools

"residency made children love poetry in a new way."

“A fascinating memoir of two generations of medical and psychiatric mismanagement and suffering, and how one brave woman figured out what was happening and successfully took control of her health and well being…”
~Stuart Shipko, MD, Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, author of Surviving Panic Disorder and Xanax Withdrawal.

Fascinating memoir

Ann Bracken is a gifted and dedicated educator, expressive arts coach, and poet. She infuses her work with a refined aesthetic sensibility that engages her clients and creates an environment where positive change and new learning can happen in unique ways. Michel Groter

"...positive change and new learning can happen in unique ways."

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. "

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100 Thousand Poets for Change 100Thousand Poets for Change Adultery Ann Bracken April Halprin Wayland art Barbara Morrison Common Core creativity David Whyte depression education family Grace Cavalieri healing hope Howard Community College improv letting go Little Patuxent Review Love Mad in America mandalas Mary Oliver medication memoir Morna McDermott Naomi Shihab Nye National Poetry Month New Day Campaign Overmedication peace personalized learning poem Poetry Polypharmacy recovery revision Robert Whitaker Salerno Stoop Stories teaching The Altar of Innocence Towson University Work

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