Steel pots on and rifles ready, eyes wide open, moving steady, panoramic sights in view, no tunnel vision all is new in this land where feet are travelling jungles, trees, and death unravelling in a most peculiar fashion, hand grenades ready for action as we move beneath the branches filled with green and orange fruits we’re filling all the daylight hours by being just intrepid youth, that carved our names on nameless trunks, when we was punks…
Searching through the light of day enemy footsteps near the bay, or was that just a mere lagoon reflecting rays of foreign moons in a forest never ending on a path that’s steady bending towards a clearing where the sun reveals those that before have gone just like us upon this trail that lead those that have won or failed to meet objectives carved in stone or tattooed on their very bones, but on we journeyed like hooded monks, when we was punks.
C.2025 – Francisco Bravo Cabrera – 13 MAR 2025 – Valencia, España
(Foto propietat de Francisco Bravo Cabrera/Drets Reservats)
Benvinguts a fer una passejada pels carrers de València mentre es preparen les falles… Bienvenidos a pasear por las calles de Valencia mientras se prepara para celebrar las Fallas…
(FBC/Drets Reservats)(FBC/Drets Reservats)(FBC/Drets Reservats)(FBC/Drets Reservats)(FBC/Drets Reservats)(FBC/Drets Reservats)(Fotografies originals de Francisco Bravo Cabrera/Drets Reservats/2025)
I també la fira del llibre antic i d’ocasió… Y también por la feria del libro antiguo y de ocasión…
Bueno… Muy pocas veces escribo sobre mí mismo ya que no me considero un tema de mayor importancia. Sin embargo, a veces me encuentro rememorando algunas de las cosas que me han pasado y bueno, termino escribiéndolas. Os diré que soy un poeta…que pinta y compone…que siempre ha creído que uno debe tener la mente abierta a los misterios del universo. Esto que os voy a contar ocurrió hace muchos años cuando yo aventuraba por Centro América, donde me pasaron muchísimas cosas raras.
Esta fue en Guatemala el día que me mandaron a escoltar a unos arqueólogos docentes de una universidad de EEUU, (el nombre no puedo mencionarlo), que iban con sus colegas de la U. de San Carlos de Guatemala a la región del Petén. La misión era, supuestamente, ir y recuperar unos artefactos maya que se encontraban en una isla en medio de un enorme lago en las cercanías de Flores, la ciudad capital de la región de Petén.
El Departamento de El Petén se encuentra en el extremo norte de Guatemala y en esos años era mayormente selva repleta de ruinas mayas. No he estado allí hace décadas pero creo que no ha cambiado mucho. El Petén limita al oeste con los estados mexicanos de Campeche, Izabal y Alta Verapaz, y al este con el país de Belice, que en ese entonces todavía era Honduras Británica, una colonia del Reino Unido. Es importante señalar que en ese momento Guatemala reclamaba la colonia como propia, y muchos pensaban que la disputa terminaría en una guerra. En otras palabras, las tensiones eran altas entre los dos países.
Salimos de nuestra base provisional ubicada cerca de los terrenos de La Aurora, el aeropuerto internacional de Guatemala, exactamente a las 0700 horas y llegamos a Flores exactamente a las 0830 horas. Desde la zona de aterrizaje del helicóptero (LZ) caminamos hasta la orilla del lago que los habitantes originales llamaron Noh Petén, y que los actuales llaman Lago Petén Itzá, y al verlo me pareció una autentica maravilla. Espero que siga siendo así. Toda esa área era una jungla tropical/bosque lluvioso, muy caluroso y muy verde, y el lago es bastante grande y hermoso.
Bajo la luz del sol de la mañana se podía ver la isla no muy lejos de la orilla. Los científicos se fueron a desayunar a un pequeño bar cercano y me pidieron, cortésmente, que vigilara su equipo. Así que me senté junto al muelle a esperar, deleitando la vista en las serenas aguas negras del lago que, movidas por las brisas del este, llegaban en suaves ondas rítmicas al muelle. Me sentí transportado. Era para alucinar.
Pero bueno, la paz meditativa me la rompió de repente el sonido de algo que golpeó la superficie del agua violentamente, como si alguien hubiera lanzado un pedrusco al lago. De inmediato volví a mi yo profesional e híper vigilante, y me puse de pie. Entonces fue cuando escuché a unos niños cantando. Caminé unos pasos hacia una estructura que parecía de otra época, como la de un hospital militar de campaña.
Extraño porque no la había notado cuando llegamos al muelle, y creedme, yo me fijo en todo, siempre. Pero ahí estaba la tienda de campaña y aún oía los niños cantando, así que decidí acercarme e investigar. Me paré justo frente a la abertura de la tienda y miré dentro, pero no veía nada posiblemente porque mis ojos, al estar acostumbrado al fuerte brillo del sol, no se habían adaptado a la oscuridad dentro de la tienda. Así que entré.
No había nadie, ni tampoco oía a los niños. Salí y miré el reloj. Era una novedad, un Texas Instruments digital, y vi en la pantallita brillar los números 12:30. No lo podía creer, ¿Dónde se había ido el tiempo? Regresé corriendo al muelle a buscar a los científicos. No estaban allí. Entonces súbitamente el cielo se oscureció y comenzó a llover violentamente. El día soleado se tornó en noche oscura y la lluvia era tan fuerte que yo no podía ver nada ni aunque estuviera frente a mí. Simplemente me quedé tranquilo, tratando de orientarme.
Pensé en refugiarme en la tienda de campaña, pero ya no la veía. Y entonces, tan rápido como había comenzado la tormenta, que parecía el fin del mundo, se detuvo. En cuestión de segundos, el cielo se despejó y el sol abrasador regresó a su majestuoso lugar en el cielo, justo encima de mí. Mi reloj no estaba equivocado; era, sin duda, el medio día. Y noté que estaba completamente seco.
En ese instante escuché a uno de los científicos estadounidenses llamándome, muy cabreado, dicho sea de paso, y exigiendo que le dijera dónde demonios había estado. Me pilló justo cuando aún estaba organizando mis pensamientos pero comencé a decirle que había estado aquí, en el muelle, custodiando el equipo. Seguí diciéndole que había oído a unos niños cantar y que pensé que estaban en la vieja tienda de campaña del ejército…
“¿Dónde? ¿Qué tienda de campaña? ¡Aquí no hay ninguna tienda de campaña! ¡Nosotros somos los únicos aquí!” el científico principal sulfurado me gritaba. “¡Esta es un área restringida! ¡No se permiten civiles! ¿Qué demonios le ha pasado, y por qué ha abandonado su puesto?”
Los guatemaltecos también habían llegado. “¡Le buscamos por todas partes, durante cuatro horas!” dijo uno. «¿Dónde estaba usted?»
Lo único que pude responder fue: “Espere…” y me quede pensando. Porque tenían razón, esta era una zona restringida y militarizada. Recordé que al bajar del helicóptero habíamos pasado por un puesto de control del ejército guatemalteco. Entonces miré hacia donde había estado la tienda, no había nada allí. Sintiendo incomodidad y confusión, pero logrando recomponerme, respondí con calma: “No lo sé, señor.”
Y esa era la pura verdad. Yo no lo sabía. Si sabía que estábamos en una zona peligrosa y que el Ejército guatemalteco la estaba despojando continuamente porque insurgentes, y guerrilleros comunistas…un verdadero problema para el país en esos momentos…cruzaban por ella camino hacia pueblos y aldeas más adentrados en la selva. Sabía todo eso tan bien como sabía que un soldado nunca debe abandonar su puesto. Pero no lo había abandonado. Todo esto sucedió a solo unos pasos del equipo, aunque no podía explicarlo.
Y aunque han pasado un montón de años aún no tengo explicación alguna de lo que me ocurrió ese día. Para mí siempre será un misterio lo que golpeó el agua, el tiempo perdido, las voces de los niños, la lluvia repentina y la antigua tienda militar. Todo sigue siendo un misterio, como otras cosas que no tienen explicación racional. Y vamos, no es que yo la busque tampoco. Yo no me limito a creer solo en lo que la gente considera racional, que carajo, si soy un poeta…
C.2025, Francisco Bravo Cabrera – 05/11 MAR 2025 – Valencia, España
(Photo/Brian Aris/Distributed by Capitol Records/Public Domain/commons.wikimedia.org)
One of my favourite songs of all time is «Ordinary World» by Duran Duran, released, I do believe, in 1993… Duran Duran was one of the great video bands of the golden days of MTV… They were formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England by Stephen Duffy (singer), Nick Rhodes (keyboards) and John Taylor (guitar/bass). Then in 1980 Simon Le Bon came in as lead singer.
(Simon Le Bon/photo La Vanguardia)
In 1981 came their first big hit «Girls on Film«. Then in 1982 came their most famous album Rio which contained pure gold like «Hungry Like the Wolf» and «Rio«, which became their biggest hits. Their third album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, reached the number one spot in the and contained another number one hit in the UK and US «The Reflex«. In the US they topped the charts with a song from the soundtrack of the James Bond film A View to a Kill , their single «A View to a Kill«.
(Photo from Duran Duran)
But by far my fave is the 1993 album called Duran Duran but that everyone calls The Wedding Album, which contains two phenomenal songs: «Ordinary World» and «Come Undone«. And I tell you that no matter how big a fan of Duran Duran I was throughout the 80’s it ended in 1993. I really did not care for the dance music single they put out in 2004. I would rather keep the memories and songs of those years than to dislike them because of their later work. They did release a 2023 album, Danse Macabre with a smashing video and a technically perfect sound, but, well it ain’t my bag…
So I leave you with a true Duran Duran gem which captures their real sound and what made them so special that they actually challenged the popularity of Beatlemania by being one of the many British bands that engaged in the second British Invasion to the US. This one via MTV…
(Matt Snyder/photo provided and property of M. Snyder)
Added to our growing list of artistic protagonists is a new friend from the blogging world. Allow me to introduce you to Matt Snyder…
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Matt Snyder has actively shaped the arts landscape since 1983, when, at just 13 years old, he began creating Super 8 movies with his friends.
He self-published a humorous 4-issue comic during his time in high school.
He has showcased his art locally since 1988, in the mediums of drawing & cartooning, photography, painting, and mixed media.
In his 20s, he wrote, directed, and acted in two public access TV shows through Northampton Community College. He directed Harold Pinter’s “Night School” for the stage, co-created and starred in the bilingual play “Allentales” in collaboration with Pregones Theater, and self-published a zine along with another comic. Additionally, he produced multiple short films for various film festivals and spent several summers excelling as both a sound tech and a costume character performer.
In his 30s, he maintained a vibrant presence behind the scenes and confidently took the stage in live theater. He immersed himself in the local poetry scene, showcasing his skills at various venues. His creative journey led him to explore music production and delve into the art of Jewish Klezmer Dancing. As a certified drum circle facilitator, he played an integral role in local drum circles. Additionally, he thrived as a freelance entertainment journalist, consistently exhibiting his art and crafting captivating short films.
In his 40s, he embraced new adventures like Swing dance, embarking on an exciting blogging journey, and honing his skills in comedic improv. He married his beautiful and creative wife, Jess, who is 12 years his junior, although he rarely enjoys a good night’s sleep due to their spirited cat, Nigel P. Kitty. He made his mark as an Arts Editor for a brief yet impactful international magazine, collaborating in diverse ways with bloggers from around the globe. Additionally, he hosted a podcast for a year, skillfully dramatizing the stories of others in the engaging style reminiscent of old-time radio shows.
Now in his 50s, he embraces this blogging journey with confidence, eagerly exploring diverse avenues in all aspects of the arts as he moves forward.
(«A highlight in my creative journey was having one of my pen & ink Noir drawings publicized on a local walking trail»/photo provided by and property of M. Snyder)
MATT AND I IN A CASUAL CHAT ABOUT THINGS…
VALENCIARTIST: At what point/time in your life did you realise you were an artist and assuming that profession, how did it change your life?
MATT: I think I was born a creative soul. I live for imagination. I have been creative my entire life. Even as a kid I got enjoyment from using my imagination to envision being a space traveller while sitting in a reclining chair.
I have tried to make a mark as an artist over 35 years, sold some through exhibit, craft shows, tee shirts, freelance & word of mouth but not enough to consider it my profession.
I do have bouts of anxiety & depression and suffer a bit from low self esteem. It is very hard for me to accept high compliments on anything I have done or currently do. It’s a never ending battle, I’m sure it is a big part as to why I never took a leap to making this more than just a side gig.
I have worked as a digital imaging archivist for the last 26 years as my means of a way of life.
I will say because I have dipped my feet into the waters of so many different avenues of the arts fine-sculpture-film-music-performance, I really wouldn’t change a thing. I am a real renaissance man.
A highlight in my creative journey was having one of my pen & ink Noir drawings publicized on a local walking trail.
VALENCIARTIST: Reference politics. Do you think artists (of any of the arts) should engage in political activity and speak out publicly? And should artists aim their work toward political ends?
MATT: In regards to politics, sure take a stand but only if it is truly within your heart to do so. But to me one must be willing to cross a line that could be quite dangerous.
N.W.A recorded «Fuck tha police» a timeless classic still sadly relevant today, actually incited to be investigated by the F.B.I at the time of it’s release (despite not being released as a single and zero radio airplay).
On the flip side French Publication Charlie Hebdo a more readily available publication, elicited fatal terrorist attacks against them mostly from comic strips putting the Prophet Mohammed in a bad light.
VALENCIARTIST: How do you view the future of art? Do you think AI will destroy what artists have worked for throughout history?
MATT: A.I. pfft. Hate it. I consider it cheating. I’m old school man, i prefer drawn to computer animated, prefer film to digital movies, prefer hands on special effects to green screen/computer. I have noticed more and more blog writers utilizing A.I. images, the world is ever changing, but I’ll never fully embrace it.
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Thank you so very much Matt. It has been a pleasure and an interesting conversation. We should always strive to keep the dynamics of art alive and the discussions going. After all, everybody loves art. All the best and the best of luck to you.
MATT’S ARTWORK
(All artwork images above are provided by and property of M. Snyder)
Matt Snyder is an artist at heart living in North East Pennsylvania with his wife Jess and their cat Nigel. His blog is iMartist and can be found on WordPress at
(«Abstract in Yellow and Red»/Francisco Bravo Cabrera/All Rights Reserved)
DEACON 11 “History”
I thought this topic would be quite interesting and I wondered how he was going to approach it. It’s a multi-layered subject: confusing, confounding and one usually…perhaps because of the same reasons…mostly ignored by many. Perhaps that is why we are condemned to repeat it. I am talking about history…
And then he said:
Most of us think of history as a book that contains a record of things, events, people, that happened and that lived in the past. I can imagine that a lot of folk think of history as a story that narrates, with names and dates, the events of other times. Well, I think that to those who think of history like this, then to them history is dead and static. It is just a receptacle of previous news, like yesterday’s newspapers since one cannot change the past, it’s just there to be read and remembered or ignored and forgotten.
But I want you to be aware that history is not just the written (or oral) record of past events and people. That is one aspect of history. The other is dynamic. And we are making it…history…at this very moment. History is the struggle of man to attain his goals in society, to decide and elect his government and pursue happiness and fulfilment in life. History is made as we develop industry, agriculture, philosophy, and even, yes of course, the arts.
History is the clashes between good and evil that we experience in the world at all times. Presently our history is succumbing to evil dictators and rising with the fight for liberation. History is being made by the refugee attempting to reach lands of opportunity and also by the repressive forces trying to keep him away.
Conflict in society creates history. The struggle of the poor on the one side and the desire of the rich to further enrich themselves. The very rich are today rising higher and higher on the shoulders of the very poor, the middle class and the alienated, downtrodden ones of our cities and countries. This is the current state of history. Class struggles have always created history, and that translates to our current state of affairs. We are seeing how chauvinism, radical patriotism, and fanaticism, in otherwise cultured and educated societies, is bringing to the forefront (electing) ignorant, albeit charismatic, leaders that have not learned from the past. Or is it that they wish to emulate some of the more negative aspects of that past? And these so-called leaders are not creating history, on the contrary, due to their anachronistic nature, they are destroying the history that had been done.
There is an absolute good and an absolute bad. Of this have no doubt. And the historical record demonstrates it. This good and this bad, which have nothing to do with the consequences of our actions, also determines history. When a society is being led away from the path of goodness, it becomes conflicted. The people seek answers, reasons and logic but they do not get the truth, they get twisted and perverse lies. The absolutes of good and bad are replaced with an ideology that eliminates them simply by telling, or/commanding, people to know that absolutes do not exist.
So one can say that history is being made by the societal manipulations of ruthless leaders. As well as by schizophrenogenic tyrants who would turn history upside down and sacrifice the future of society…and the world, perhaps…just to provide for themselves positions of power ad perpetuam. We must always remember that dictators and tyrants always hate the people they rule over. And that they have always used history to attempt to prove to the people that they are right and just.
Yet, I must conclude that although history can be confusing, it is not. In essence, God has created Heaven and Earth; He alone rules history. That means all of history, the one we are making…because we have free will…and the history that has been written. God reminded the Hebrew people, through Moses, not to forget their history and not to forget who is their God.
Then why are “they” now trying to make us forget who God is? And “they” are those that are trying to guide and influence us through political parties, music, movies, plays, video games, everything! Could they be trying to make history and rule over it?
Valencia, España, 10th of March 2025, Francisco Bravo Cabrera
«History is as abstract as classical music, as figurative as a Picasso and as frail as the bones in the wings of a hummingbird.» (F. Bravo Cabrera)
JaZzArt en València 