"She had learned on previous attempts at conversation in the Australian bush to speak slowly and use short sentences. She did not make the mistake of thinking the inhabitants stupid. It was just that they did not talk much and therefore liked to give every word its proper weight. She reflected that a writer might find this touching. Words are seldom given the respect they deserve"
from "The Green Hill Murder" by Kerry Greenwood

I have so much enjoyed the latest poems in the Stream.

I suspect a bit of both. My attitude has improved, but the work posted recently has been so much better.

You know I don't bullshit.

cheers
Jess

This essay was presented for Philosophy 105 "Values and Beliefs" at Australian Catholic University. It was marked by a Jesuit priest and received a High Distinction.

"Applying Occam's Razor To Religion"

This work proposes to argue that through elimination of un-necessary assumptions about religious faith, experience and membership, religion can be shown to be irrelevant in the modern world.

If you can solve this apparent enigma just say so, don't give the answer away just yet. The answer is simple, straightforward and involves no trickery or supernatural intervention.

There is a terrible car crash. The man driving is killed instantly. His son is rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. The surgeon walks in, looks at the boy and says,
"I can't operate on him, he's my son."

All the really great poets studied hard, they knew what they were doing with every word and syllable.

Meter is more important in poetry than any other device.

and it is very easy to understand in theory. Do not count syllables! Count stressed syllables. It consists of types, called feet and the number of feet per line. Each foot consists of stressed and unstressed syllables. This is the way the syllables are normally stressed, or emphasised in spoken language.

The more I read of "The Ode Less Travelled" by Stephen Fry (British Comedian) the more I regard it as an essential tool for beginner through to advanced poets. Beautifully, accessibly and humorously written it covers everything you need to know. Do yourself a favour and get a copy, it is invaluable.

My reference bible is "The Poet's Manual and Rhyming Dictionary" by Frances Stillman.

Mona has asked me to convey her love and best wishes to everyone at Neopoet.

She will be back online soon, but you must understand that the "so called" Free World is blocking communications from her country because they fear the socialistic principles her country embraces.

(probably hallucinogens and spiritual quests involved)
The source of most of my poetry.
http://dingo.care2.com/cards/flash/5409/galaxy.swf

In the July Newsletter I did a short piece on Limericks and issued a challenge to write a SERIOUS limerick and a humorous haiku.

Post your submissions here.

So far, as you will see, it is no easy thing to be serious in a form that is basically comical.

I spoke to her on the phone today for her birthday and she was delighted! She wishes to express all her love and missing for all her Neopoet friends and appreciates all the support she has received for her country against the UN, NATO and mercenary agents provocateur.

The troubles there have drawn her people closer in support and solidarity and they will never surrender to foreign ideologies that attack their beliefs and want to steal their oil.