Benjamin Frater (1979–2007), also known as "The Catholic Yak", was an Australian
poet
A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral or writte ...
.
Biography
Frater grew up in
Western Sydney
Western may refer to:
Places
*Western, Nebraska, a village in the US
*Western, New York, a town in the US
*Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia
*Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia
*Western world, countries that id ...
, and attended the
University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong (abbreviated as UOW) is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney. As of 2017, the university had an enrolment of ...
. He published one book of
poetry
Poetry (derived from the Greek ''poiesis'', "making"), also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre − to evoke meanings i ...
during his life, ''Bughouse Meat'' (2005, Bird in the Mouth Press). A collection of selected poems, ''6am in the Universe'', was published posthumously (2011, Grand Parade Poets). He is currently the subject of a feature-length
documentary being made by Magical Real Picture Company (Australia).
External links
Obituary Sydney Morning HeraldAuslit entry (full entry requires subscription)Plaque-1Plaque-2composite tertiary referencereview of 6am in the Universe: Selected Poemsradio programmention re doco award
See the ABC radio national radio documentary
Title: 6am in the Universe Author: Benjamin Frater Publisher: Grand Parade Poets, Wollongong 2011
The meaning of Yek rests between the collective human unconsciousness and the infinite darkness of God. Yek is the Horned Being of ancient man's cave drawings. Yek is Dr Sax, shadow beings and the fear of our own immortality. Benjamin's poetical works represented the individual's deconstruction of the remnants of our cultural prehistory: the poet is the platonic philosopher. Use of repetition and holy indelible mantra to find the basic consonance and resonance within the collective mind. Without fear of the darkness, without seeking recompense - a true visionary poet came and extended the realms of our known art, and relinquished the fragility of the individual and left us.
1979 births
2007 deaths
University of Wollongong alumni
20th-century Australian poets
Australian male poets
20th-century Australian male writers
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