Poems: The New Book and The Importance of Religion

This week’s tongue-in-cheek and not so tongue-in-cheek Poet’s Corner contributions are from Damian Balassone.

Feb 07, 2024, updated Mar 18, 2025
Photo: Lionel Allorge / Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Lionel Allorge / Wikimedia Commons

The New Book

The revered writer releases his new
book to universal acclaim. Though
the book has a title, there’s nothing
inside it – every page is completely
blank. There’s something about the
book’s minimalist concept that
captures the imagination of artists
and critics alike. The author laps up
the praise as he travels across the
country promoting it. At one
particular press conference he’s
confronted by an inexperienced
journalist who insists on mentioning
that this so-called masterpiece has
nothing in it. The revered writer is
offended by the audacity of this
young punk and responds by saying:
‘Perhaps the real issue is that you’re
jealous of my success.’

Epigram: The Importance of Religion

Those who loathe religion
are slow to contemplate
that Lennon met McCartney
at the church fête.

Damian Balassone, from Warrandyte, Victoria, is the author of three volumes of poetry, including the forthcoming collection of short poems and epigrams Love is a Weird Cat.

Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to [email protected]. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments. A poetry book will be awarded to each accepted contributor.