John Glasscock was one of the founder members of the Braintree Writers Group. He wrote short and long prose, radio plays and poetry. We miss his contribution to the group and particularly his humorous pieces, such as 'How to write a blockbuster' and his re-invention of biblical characters.
TRIBUTES TO JOHN
For John (© Michael Horne 2016)
I didn't know you long;
But you were quite amazing
Giving new gloss to biblical texts,
In ways that our grandfathers would have found blasphemous
But to us they were witty and hilarious
Decking the words of scripture in a screen of sarcasm
And proving that language conquers all,
Giving Moses and Joshua wheelchairs and sticks
And Miriam the prophetic new meaning
You also liked trains and ancient timetables,
And were a railwayman in dim times past.
Some day I will be a passenger in your train
And hear your tales anew
Improving with the repetition.
I am older than you,
But you went first,
which seems unfair.
And you missed by two months or so
your desire to live in a Brexit Britain,
Will you be a prophet in this, too?
From Vince Horsman © 2016
I loved his sense of humour. He didn't believe in Big G or an afterlife. At the Braintree Writers Group we enjoyed his irreverent interpretations of the Old Testament and its prophets. If he is right about the afterlife then he is gone like a candle snuffed out by the wind or a fag expiring in some celestial ashtray. If he's wrong well that's a different tale altogether.
In that case even now he may be holding a lively discussion with St Peter at heavens gate about being admitted. Perhaps it would go like this,
"Look Pete, OK, I got it wrong. Nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes. JC got right brassed off with those moneylenders I seem to recollect. I'm full of remorse and all that. Perhaps you have some sort of daily off-peak admission tickets to heaven?"
"Well John, it's not as simple as all that. Abraham, Isaac and Noah have all got the right hump over some of that stuff you wrote. I could at a stretch manage a single day return but no more until your references check out. You'll need to spend your nights on a cloud somewhere between Gatwick and Heathrow while you're being processed. And you'll have to step outside when you want a fag anyway. Elf an Safety has got here as well mate. "
To which John may reply "Pete, I think I've got a deal breaker. What if I knock up some good PR material for you? Religion has taken a bit of a pasting in the press lately. What do you think, is it a deal? Even with my challenging surname, Glasscock, I managed to make a pretty good name for myself. At least they don't say my name when someone stubs their toe back on earth. That's a real wind-up for the Boss's lad ain't it? Anyway what have you got to lose?"
And so on.....If anyone could talk his way in John would!
Anyway, John, I must add in a more down to earth fashion you are well remembered and I can still recall the laughter from the humorous pieces you shared with us. It was great to have known you.
In conclusion if this winter I observe a lightning storm I could conclude that your discussions with the celestial gatekeeper are at a critical stage and concessions may be forthcoming. Alternatively it may just be lightning!
Thanks, John.
