The poetical works of Mr Deane are well-known to me. They have provided me with many happy hours. Though I am happy to have Mr Deane's works gathered here, apart from his Monastic Adventures of Polonius which is available in a separate volume, in a single volume where I can renew the pleasure of reading many of his familiar works, I could wish that were more of them that I did not know. For that reason, I envy the reader who is about to discover this new author, to come to know his wit, his wisdom, his humanity and his bardic talent. Mr Deane's poems on vegetable provide a most unexpected vein, ornamented cleverly with metre and rhyme, together with dietary information combined with historical perspectives and botanical insights. Many will be surprised by the witty humour that Mr Deane inimitably applies. He brings vegetables to life and imbues them with character that few, even those who regard themselves as enthusiasts for all aspects of nature, would have attributed to life forms they had regarded as essentially passive. It would be wrong of me to dismiss those who dismiss Mr Deane's insights as smutty when he delves into the world of prostitution, both among immigrants in Sydney's suburbs and in the seedier bars and dives of the sois of Thailand, especially Bangkok. Yet I would suggest that such critics are applying a particularly narrow focus that prevents them from gleaning wisdom and understanding about a world that affords moments of joyful interaction and economic opportunity to a large industry that embraces a large portion of humanity. Let it not be forgotten that both john and chippy interact commercially in the pursuit of happiness, not for the purpose of oppression or exploitation. For that reason, the oldest profession has prospered throughout history at all echelons of society, a fact that Mr Deane explores in his historical verse on a number of notorious, but fondly remembered, courtesans and harlots. On the other hand, his verse upon venereal disease shows Mr Deane is no stranger to the dangers of promiscuous intercourse, that he is a hero who has risked madness and even death to enjoy the pleasures of fleshpots. I salute the courage of Mr Deane. Mr Deane's genius is not limited to vegetables and prostitutes as is readily evidenced by a perusal of the amusing titles in the Table of Contents of this present volume. His poem upon admiration of the brick is proof of the originality of his genius. He has even seen the remarkable in a piece of chalk, and sung the virtues of detergent. He has provided a modern perspective of many classical myths and legends without intruding the restrictions of contemporary political correctness upon them. In fact, Mr Deane's greatness derives largely from his refusal to adapt to transient value systems where pseudo-moralists seek to impose their shifting, inconsistent standards to the works, beliefs and values of others. Even if this refusal were the only reason Mr Deane should be read and admired, his fame should be immortal. But there are so many other reasons for him to live in our hearts forever.