Run They Said...: Poetry of a Fortunate Airman

By Gary Niel Hitching

Run They Said… Well, they may have said ‘Run’, but it certainly didn’t happen: he stayed to face life’s twists and turns head-on; made bad decisions, good decisions and decisions which actually saved his life. Not a hero by any account but a fortunate airman, he found himself the witness of countless unfortunate events, strangely coming out of one and straight into another, all of them recorded in poetry and written with experience.

From war zone to new baby, from the Royal household to living next to a pond full of poo in Afghanistan, the writing of Run They Said may have just kept this fortunate airman alive, giving him the chance to explain the ups and downs of a changing world, a changing life and changing attitudes to sexuality, warfare and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781398401365

Gary Niel Hitching

Working through many a mental health journey, concerned about sanity, anger and dignity, the understanding of not just life but different mental states that govern life would shape my future and designate my present and quantify my past. A fortunate airman in a new life with still the same troubles and problems but now with only a fictional poet as support, Gary embraces mental health and constantly questions sanity whilst exploring his mind and the world around him, finding solace in poetry where once again the words of life will take him through dark and meaningful times where no other support was available.

Book preview

About the Author

Gary has been writing poetry since the age of 16, when keeping a diary became too monotonous. All of his poetry, which is rhymed, is a reflection of what he has experienced or overheard or been exposed to.

Throughout his journey through life he has experienced important changes to popular culture and politics. He grew up during the HIV epidemic and the Section 28 protests, then as a member of the military served through the two Gulf Wars, the Balkans conflict, the Northern Ireland peace process, Afghanistan, North Africa and the rise of the Islamic state, as well as working for the Prime Minister and the Royal family. These have all been key moments of experience for him.

Gary Niel Hitching

Run They Said…

Poetry of a Fortunate Airman

Copyright © Gary Niel Hitching 2021

The right of Gary Niel Hitching to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528916004 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398401365 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2021

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Dedication

I have been inspired by my fortunate life in the Royal Air Force, without which I wouldn’t have seen or experienced the amazing moments within my life. Per Ardua Ad Astra.

How It All Started

I have never really been a writer,

More of a doer and an exciter.

Always had an active life,

Had a career, child and a wife.

Always hid