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Poet Clerihew

Notes About The Poem

Alan Turing is hailed as the father of the computer. He cracked the ‘enigma’ code and played a crucial part in the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in WW2.

He was chemically castrated after the war for ‘gross indecency’ on account of his sexuality and was posthumously pardoned by The Queen in 2013.

Alan Mathison Turing

Alan Mathison Turing
This ‘enigmatic’ man was so alluring
Chemically castrated for being gay
His alternative was a lifelong prison stay


09~30~16

sadtributeclerihew

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Sara Kendrick

January 1, 2021 at 4:49 AM

Informative and interesting work. Congrats on this winner. Sara

Jo Chamberlain

January 1, 2021 at 3:21 AM

Wow how horrendous! A lovely tribute to Alan. Congratulations on your winning placement.

John Watt

December 28, 2020 at 11:27 AM

I hope you saw the great movie about him, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Congrats on the win for your excellent writing. Hugs ~ John

Jan Allison

December 28, 2020 at 4:06 PM

I've seen the film in fact it was that film which inspired the poem, such a tragic end to an incredible man:-( hugs jan xx

Freddie Robinson Jr.

October 16, 2016 at 11:50 PM

Beautifully written clerihew, Jan. A very inhumane way to a human being. I do not personally agree w/homosexuality, but everyone has the right to live their life as they see fit without being persecuted. Love the poem. Ty for dropping the knowledge. I did not know the background to this man's life story. Keep loving and living, sharing and giving. With much love from RW (Romantic Warrior.)

Jan Allison

May 6, 2017 at 5:51 PM

sorry Freddie I've just come across a scutch of comments from October that I missed but we were going on holiday at this time so I can see why I missed them:-( hugs Jan xx

Joanna Daniel

October 6, 2016 at 8:52 AM

Sad way to treat any human being...

Jan Allison

October 8, 2016 at 4:53 PM

It was such a terrible end to a brilliant man - he committed suicide at a relatively young age:-( hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

October 1, 2016 at 7:50 PM

This guy was so genius and he was SO ill treated after all he did. GREAT clerihew for a great man.

Jan Allison

October 1, 2016 at 11:02 PM

Thanks Andrea I agree he was a great man and what happened to him was a travesty:-( hugs Jan xx

Sara Kendrick

October 1, 2016 at 1:08 PM

Sad story but he used his intelligence for good to win the war..Good work that reads like a winner to me if for a contest..Thanks for stopping by..My mother-in-law would iron dry diapers if it was raining but I used the folding wood drying wrack..They are still available today but at a great cost..I should saved mine for the future just in case times reverted back..Sara

Jan Allison

October 1, 2016 at 1:41 PM

Oh how interesting about the drying rack Sara and the tide does seem to be turning and people are going back to the old ways:-) hugs Jan xx

Joseph May

October 1, 2016 at 6:12 AM

A man of such brilliance treated so appallingly...very sad ending

Jan Allison

October 1, 2016 at 12:06 PM

It really is heartbreaking what happened to him Joseph... and what use is a posthumous pardon:-(:-( hugs Jan

CayCay Godwin

September 30, 2016 at 10:39 PM

I knew of him, but not the stupidity inflicted upon him. Throughout time, people have paid for behaviors that in time would be viewed as normal - it has truly always been so. Unbelievable waste, unbelievably sad. I don't why you thought of him, but I'm glad for this moment and your factual write ... CayCay

Jan Allison

October 1, 2016 at 3:27 AM

Gay men prosecuted before homosexuality was decriminalised in the island in 1992 could receive a pardon as early as next year.... there is a lot of press about it at the moment and this is what prompted the poem:-) hugs Jan xx

Stephen Pennell

September 30, 2016 at 4:16 PM

committed suicide, good job times have moved on , live and let live stephen

Jan Allison

September 30, 2016 at 6:30 PM

I agree Stephen and thankfully times have changed:-) hugs JAN XX

Charlie Smith

September 30, 2016 at 11:41 AM

Enigmatic is so descriptive. Well done Jan...

Jan Allison

September 30, 2016 at 11:42 AM

Thanks Charlie I chose that word very carefully!!!:-) hugs Jan xx

Maurice Yvonne

September 30, 2016 at 9:59 AM

Great topic matter. Great write. A Fav.

Jan Allison

September 30, 2016 at 10:02 AM

Thanks Armand - he was a brilliant man whose life was cut short all too soon:-( hugs Jan xx

Daniel Turner

September 30, 2016 at 9:35 AM

I'm pretty sure they made a movie about this. Such a brilliant man. I don't remember exactly but I think he tried to cover up his sexuality either by getting married or taking a female friend, even though it was never consummated. I'd have to go back and read it again. I doubt most people even know who he was. Nice write, Jan.

Jan Allison

September 30, 2016 at 9:57 AM

You're right Daniel they made a movie called The imitation game and yes Turing tried to cover up his homosexuality by getting engaged to a lady called Jean Clarke. I have recently read quite a lot about him and it was such a tragic end when he apparently committed suicide:-( hugs Jan xx

White Wolf

September 30, 2016 at 7:04 AM

Do you live on the Isle of Mann? You'd know all about Manannan mac Lir then.? And why did they drop one of the N's off Man? Haha/|\

Jan Allison

September 30, 2016 at 7:07 AM

I've lived on the IOM since 1996:-) No idea about the dropping of the 2nd n but I know Manannan mac Lir is a sea god in Irish Mythology:-) hugs Jan xx

White Wolf

September 30, 2016 at 6:41 AM

And it is still illegal in my country for gays to wed!!! I always learn something from your poetry, thank you Jan for that /|\

Jan Allison

September 30, 2016 at 6:49 AM

They have recently passed a law to allowed gay weddings on our little Island Rick - up until decriminalisation in 1992 homosexuality was illegal on the IOM and anyone caught faced life in prison - thankfully we have moved on since those days:-) hugs Jan xx