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Thylazine: The Australian Journal of Arts, Ethics & Literature                                                                                                                                  #7/thyla7k-mlll AUSTRALIAN POETS SERIES 7 The Poetry of Myron Lysenko Selected by Coral Hull [Above] Photo of Myron Lysenko by photographer unknown, 2000. I UNDER THE TREE I COMBINE I HAIKU & SENRYU I SEX AT THE POETRY WORKSHOP I TURN LEFT AT THE FULL MOON I UNDER THE TREE they stood under the big tree and talked slowly under the tree they stood and slowly talked big the big tree stood slowly and under they talked they stood big and slowly talked the tree under the big tree talked and they slowly understood COMBINE you find me on the grapevine I'm your dashing thylacine you're beautiful like einstein much sweeter than a columbine we make a happy clothesline you're my brunswick & sunshine you have a figure like a coastline it nearly matches my waistline but still i am your valentine kissing on the borderline stronger than turpentine as solid as a skyline our love is brighter than a tram line so let's party like wittgenstein HAIKU & SENRYU the postman speeds                past my house st. valentine's day bird in the garden pecking at my nectarines the scarecrow sags the middle aged-man walking into the sunset pastries in his arms After the downpour, lying on the nature strip: a can of mushrooms. SEX AT THE POETRY WORKSHOP She came in as we sat around the table discussing weaknesses in our poetry. She told us one of her girlfriends hadn't had a man for four years & was looking for a safe one-night stand. She told us her friend was coming to look us over. We adjusted our appearances & discussed the importance of metaphors. Her friend appeared like a sparkler at a party. We stood up straight & smiled, took turns to kiss her hand as if we were all Romantic Poets. One of us put his hat back on So he could doff her. She wore her hair like a halo & her shy glances aroused us. Somebody recited an ee cummings love poem. The birds started singing like sopranos. The women went away to discuss us. She came out of her bedroom & told us because her friend was catholic she had selected the poet who looked most like Jesus. The chosen one rose to do his duty. I tried to wish him luck but he said: I'd rather stay here writing poetry. I said: This is a perfect poetry opportunity. His beard moved as if he was trying to smile. He left the room as we checked our watches, shuffled our drafts listened hard for the softest sound & returned to the possibilities of language. TURN LEFT AT THE FULL MOON You're not lost at all; in fact, you're almost there. Just keep going down this road for a couple of miles or kilometres whichever you prefer until you come to the sign. Obey the sign even if you disagree with its philosophy. Take the next left but be sure you take the full left turn not the half turn. Keep going until you get to the dry riverbed. You can't miss it it's always full of yellow yachts. Slow down at the bridge & proceed carefully. Keep going straight through the bends. Turn left at the fork & follow the spoon. Keep going until the war stops or the drought breaks. Turn left at the full moon & it'll be there, right in front of you. You can't miss it. I can't advise you what to do next, you'll have to make your own decisions, but make sure you enjoy the scenery along the way, because once you get there, there'll be nothing to see. About the Poet Myron Lysenko Myron Lysenko became a professional poet in 1989. Co-founded & co-edited (with Kevin Brophy) independent literary journal Going Down Swinging from 1980-94. He has had over 222 poems published in anthologies, litmags & other journals. His poetry has been featured on television & radio. Has read his poetry in public over 2000 times over the last 21 years & has conducted over 3000 poetry workshops on the east coast of Australia. His poetry has been described as wry, amusing, sad, surprising, innovative & cheekily irreverent. He is known in some circles as Melbourne’s happy pessimist. Earns his living by doing poetry in universities, TAFE colleges, schools, poetry venues & festivals. Myron had a fear of poetry for the first 30 years of his life, but after he was converted by contemporary Australian poets, he adopted poetry as a lifestyle.    [Above] Photo of Myron Lysenko by photographer unknown, 2000. I Next I Back I Exit I Thylazine No.7 (March, 2003)