(who asked me to name a piece of mine that had no classical references )

If I peddle my wares and blow my own trumpet

I might be considered a literary strumpet--

Sure, there's lots of my poems from which I could choose

But what positive criteria am I able to use ?

Your negative one I can give its due deference --

They must not contain any classical reference !

That leaves me at once in a bit of a plight--

But I 'll start then , I think , with my song , Beach at Night .

For the angst of a teenager , worn tight as a glove ,

I commend you the sequence I've called Wheel of Love .

If it's nature you want , then I doubt you'll go wrong

with the ones about Cumquats and the fierce Currawong .

For early or late works , you could make a start

comparing the poems Fifty ( long ! ) Years Apart ;

Site of Blood , or Edges , chill rather than warm --

but I'm fond of Epiphany and I love Mountain Storm .

x - y =0 shows deep passion ,

as do Two Songs of Regret , in their cynical fashion.

Now please don't consider me fit for a roasting

if what I have written sounds very like boasting !

As for the rest -- well , most follow a pattern

based on old Willie , or some Greek or some Latin .

Gecko , Legionnaire , Anatomy Class Skeleton

I think are good but with tags that you'd frown upon.

But permit just one image , and you I would thank

for reading the one I like best -- River Bank .