Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes:
"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?"
AUSTRALIAN CULTURE HAS LIVING WORKS OF ART-
One of the best was Barry Humphries,whose live shows sparkled with Gladioli..
They were thrown into each night's audience by Dame Edna Everage(Moonee Pond's Housewife Superstar)
One famous night,one gladiolus caught an eye,resulting in legal action.You see-Barry Humphries was many people-
Sir Les Patterson,Australia's Cultural Attache.Also Lance Boyle,venal Union organizer.My fave was Sandy Stone,Anzac.Couch -bound.Old.
Barry imbued each with depth and intensity,adding social satire that stirred complacent Australian audiences.
For Barry was (at heart)an Anglophile.His comedy failed America's puritan networks,
but delighted English audiences,who could see the truth within his barbed sarcasms.Australians were ambivalent,
some warming to Dame Edna Everage more than Barry himself.He was our Oscar Wilde.Our Buster Fiddess.
"At Least You Could Say That you saw it" was the last live show i saw of his.
He rolled giant inflatable Jaffas over the audience.His anarchy contagious.I miss him like i miss
the cheeky Australia of my growing.We have become far too serious.Resurrect again Barry Humphries.
Be our Lazarus.
