6 dead poets & 2 undead ones: The most popular poems read at Aussie Weddings and Funerals

I asked Google Gemini, “What are the most popular poems read at weddings in Australia?” I can’t say how Gemini knows this. Perhaps Aussies search for these  ‘wedding poems’ on Google.

Popular Poems at Weddings:

Sonnet 116” by William Shakespeare: Died 1616

i carry your heart with me” by E.E. Cummings: Died 1962

The Art of Marriage” by Wilferd Arlan Peterson: Died 1995

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Then I asked Google Gemini, “What are the most popular poems read at funerals in Australia?’

Popular Poems at Funerals:

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye. Died 2004

Death Is Nothing at All” / “All Is Well” by Henry Scott Holland. Died 1918

“The Dash” by Linda Ellis. SHE’S ALIVE.

“She Is Gone” / “He Is Gone” by David Harkins HE’S ALIVE

Funeral Blues/ Stop all the clocks by W.H. Auden. Died 1973

NOTE 1: The living poets are a baker turned nude painter (David Harkins) and an archeologist (Linda Ellis).

NOTE 2: David Harkins’ poem was included anonymously in the funeral program for the Queen Mother’s funeral. 

The Rolling Stones Live. Just.

Live. Just. It’s an old joke. But The Rolling Stones – average age 81 years – have released a new album, Foreign Tongues. Full credit to Mick Jagger. His song Strange Game for the TV show SLOW HORSES was awesome.

The problem, however, for 80+ millionaire rock stars is that the song lyrics written during their youthful,  anti-establishment years lose their punch.

These lyrics are from an article I wrote for The Herald Sun and The Advertiser (SA) 20 years ago titled: It’s a long way to the Mosh Pit When Ya Gettin’ Old. 

I thought Mick Jagger was old at 60!!!!!! Full article here.

What if AI wrote Your CV?

I worked as a columnist for multiple newspapers for over 35 years. Yeah! Do the maths!!!! But there’s a large online archive of my writing and my public speaking profile. So I asked CHAT GPT to write a short author’s blurb for me. Apparently, I’m amazing.

But here’s the heads up. Recruitment agencies are using AI to define criteria for certain jobs and then they use AI to rank applicants using those criteria. You may want to check AI before lodging an application.

Here’s a few lines from my AI written author’s blurb just so you know how BRILLIANT I am.

‘Kerry Cue is a captivating author known for her witty, insightful, and often humorous explorations of the human experience.’

‘Kerry Cue’s writing will make you laugh, cry, and ponder, all while reminding you of the beauty in the ordinary.’

That’s me. I specialise in being brilliantly ordinary!!!!!!!

AI rips off MEN AT WORK’s song DOWN UNDER

Parody was allowed as a ‘fair dealing’ exception in the Copyright Amendment Act in Australia in 2006.

AI isn’t necessarily good. You have to ask it the right Question. When I was asked to write something on a Futuristic Theme I used CHAT GPT. Was it fair use? You decide.

Here is AI’s response to the request:The robot kangaroo is AI generated too.

Why AI stands for Aussie Idiot!

I’ve written, maybe, 2000+ articles and many are online. So I asked ChatGPT to write an article for me. Can I retire now? Just use AI to write my articles? The results were hilarious but not in a good way. 

The words HUMOROUS and AUSTRALIAN prompted an ANCIENT OCKER text:

Write a humorous article about banks closing in Australia in the style of “Kerry Cue”

Headline: Crikey! Bank Closures Down Under: A Hilarious Twist in the Aussie Banking Saga

Subheadline: The Great Downfall: How Kangaroos and Koalas are Dealing with the ‘No Cash Mate’ Situation

By Kerry Cue | May 19, 2023

G’day, mates! Hold onto your Vegemite sandwiches because we have some ripper news from the land of kangaroos, koalas, and cash flow conundrums. It appears that the Australian banking scene is experiencing a fair dinkum shake-up, with banks closing faster than you can say, “Chuck a sickie!” But fear not, for we’re here to give you a fair-dinkum, tongue-in-cheek tour of this laugh-a-minute rollercoaster ride.

Now, what’s the dinky-di reason for this banking brouhaha? Well, it seems like Aussies have been embracing the cashless lifestyle faster than you can down a schooner of cold brew. Between tapping their credit cards, zapping their smartphones, and throwing payWave magic at every purchase, they’ve left good ol’ bank branches feeling as empty as a snag sizzle without the snags!

As we all know, banks used to be the place where you could pop in for a yarn with Sheila behind the counter while depositing your hard-earned dough. But now, those snazzy self-service machines have invaded our beloved branches, leaving poor Sheila twiddling her thumbs and wondering if her “how’s your day going, mate?” skills are still relevant.

But what about the locals, you ask? Well, they’re in a proper flamin’ state of bewilderment, that’s for sure. Picture this: Barry, your typical Aussie bloke, rocks up to his local bank branch, only to find a note on the door saying, “We’ve gone walkabout, mate!” Poor Bazza is left scratching his mullet, wondering how he’s going to withdraw a crisp twenty to shout his mates a few cold ones at the pub.

And don’t even get us started on the wildlife down under! Koalas are furiously debating how to eucalyptus-tap their payments, while kangaroos are hopping mad because they can’t figure out how to use a smartphone with those pesky paws. Crikey, even the emus are running around in circles, trying to find a teller who can cash their checks!

But fear not, our resilient Aussie spirit won’t be swayed by this banking brouhaha. We’re a resourceful bunch, always ready to adapt and have a chuckle along the way. We’ve already heard rumors of Wallabies hosting financial literacy workshops, teaching fellow animals how to use their joeys to press buttons on ATMs. It’s a sight that’ll leave you laughing like a kookaburra on nitrous oxide!

In all seriousness, though, the closure of bank branches is no laughing matter. Many rural and remote communities are left high and dry, facing the challenge of accessing essential financial services. It’s crucial for banks and policymakers to come together, take a fair dinkum look at the impact of these closures, and find innovative solutions to keep the Australian spirit alive.

So, cobbers, let’s raise our lamingtons and salute the Aussie battlers, both human and animal, who are navigating this “no cash mate” situation with resilience and humor. As we forge ahead into the brave new world of digital transactions, let’s not forget to appreciate the Sheila behind the counter and the sense of community a local bank branch provides. After all, a fair-go attitude and a good ol’ belly laugh can make any banking blues seem like a dropbear scare. Cheers, mates!

Here is my orginal article on banks closing:A Lesson in Modern Banking for the Lost and Bewildered

Love the middle-aged, morose, driven crime novel detective.

Summer reading. Crime novels. Joe Nesbo this year. His Harry Hole fits the crime detective trope of the single, middle-aged, morose, driven misfit too!

Here are just a few of my favourites in this category: Morse, Lewis, Bosch, Wallander, Rebus, Perez, DCI Banks,  Frost,  Foyle,  Cannon,  Montalbano, Jesse  Stone,  George  Gently, Longmire.

Readers keep sending more names. Add Vera (fits the bill despite being female) and Jack Irish.

How would Shakespeare prove I AM NOT A ROBOT?

So I was wondering ‘How would Shakespeare prove I AM NOT A ROBOT?’. Then I found Ye Olde Tyme News. The rest, as they say, is history, sort of. Link below.

O, Woe Is Me, to Be Haunted by an Apparition that Demandeth, Over and Over, to Prove I Am Not a Robot.

I, the Bard, conjurer of thespian apparitions, am haunted thus by a fiendish vision that doth appear in my looking glass. The eye sees not itself by reflection but, alas, a suit of armor, a robot, so-called, that demandeth, before I can quill one word, I look into the ghostly glass to proveth by some wanton game that I AM NOT A ROBOT. (More here.)