A. L. Hendriks

A L Hendriks was a poet by profession. He was most popular for his significant work in the field of writing. In this article, we will discuss his personal life and career. We will also talk about his limited work edition. Let us get started.

About

The full name of A. L Hendriks was Arthur Lemiere Hendriks. He was born in 1922 in Jamaica. He was more popular by his career name, Micky Hendriks. He was a poet by profession. Apart from being a poet, Micky was also a writer and a broadcasting director. A Broadcasting Director is a person who takes care of the shows and their timings. He is the person who is responsible for deciding which show is allowed to be Aired on national TV and at what time. He was never married, yet he was a father of five daughters and two sons.

Career

Micky Hendriks worked as a writer at different writing platforms and newspapers like The Christian Science Monitor (this newspaper prints daily news both online and offline manner), the Daily Gleaner (this newspaper prints offline news only for three days, and the rest of the days' news was covered in an online manner), and BIM (this magazine published news and articles in the 1940s). The sort of work he used to do at the Daily Gleaner was as a columnist and literary critic.

He completed his school education from Jamaica College. After that, he was admitted to Ottershaw College. This college is situated in Surrey, England. In the initial stage of his career, he joined his family business but did not find it interesting. He found his interest in Broadcasting (distribution of audio and video media through the help of a network to a large population). He joined Broadcasting in the early 1950s and soon served as the director of the Caribbean Broadcasting in Barbados. After that, he was appointed as the General Manager of the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation. After that, he moved to London, where he served as the Television Director. He spent the last years of his life traveling and writing. While traveling, he used to write poems and short stories and worked as a freelancer.

His early collections, such as "On This Mountain " (1965), "Muet " (1971), and "These Green Islands" (1971), reflected a masterful use of rigorously economical forms. Within these verses, he artfully described imaginative commentaries that were full of a spectrum of personal and societal themes. A significant turning point in Hendriks' poetic expression occurred with "The Islanders" (1983), where he embraced more musically flexible modes of verse. The shift showcased his ability to adapt his poetic style to the evolving music modes. Continuing his poetic exploration, Hendriks presented "The Naked Ghost" (1984) and "To Speak Simply" (1988). One of Hendriks' notable contributions, "The Baptist," found its place in "Bite In 2" by Cecil Gray, highlighting his presence in society beyond his collections. Among his diverse literary endeavors, Hendriks also composed the "Great Families of Jamaica" (1984), showcasing his versatility in exploring varied themes and genres. A. L. Hendriks, through his evolving poetic craftsmanship and exploration of language, left an indelible mark on Caribbean literature. His ability to seamlessly transition between forms and capture the essence of his surroundings demonstrates that he is a poet deeply connected to the culture.

Works

Micky Hendriks was famous for the quality of his works. His writing works were filled with deep meanings. Due to not being a full-time writer, he gave some limited yet beautiful works only. Here is the list of some of his notable works:

Conclusion

A. L. Hendriks, or Micky Hendriks, left an incredible mark on the literary and broadcasting landscape of the Caribbean. Born in Jamaica in 1922, he built a diverse career that spanned writing, journalism, and Broadcasting. His notable contributions as a columnist and literary critic at platforms like The Christian Science Monitor and the Daily Gleaner showcased his great performance in the world of writing. Transitioning into Broadcasting in the early 1950s, Hendriks achieved many positions, serving as the director of Caribbean Broadcasting in Barbados and later as the General Manager of the Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation.

His journey continued to London, where he took on the role of Television Director. Despite his success in Broadcasting, he found interest and passion in writing and composing poems and short stories during his travels as a freelancer. A. L. Hendriks' literary legacy is enshrined in works like "These Green Islands and Other Poems," "To Speak Simply: Selected Poems," and "On This Mountain: and Other Poems." His poetry, often reflective of Caribbean life and culture, resonates with readers across borders. Beyond his artistic contributions, Hendriks was a family man, a father to five daughters and two sons. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, ensuring that the legacy of Micky Hendriks endures as a testament to the rich literary and cultural tapestry of the Caribbean.