Many years ago, a friend, who had discovered that I wrote poetry for my own enjoyment, challenged me to address a popular subject of his - in poetry. I told him, "Give me one word - any word - and I'll give you a couple of stanzas of poetry". (Quite appropriately, I did write one on "arrogance") What eventually happened was that, after some years of playing this game, I eventually decided to share my work publicly and published a collection of my poetry in "On - Volume 1" (1996) which was "on" many of the varied subjects about which I had quietly written (I wish I still had all the ones I threw away). Over the years, although I played with writing in many different formats, I had unconsciously developed one particular style in which I enjoyed writing most of all. In my latter days at school, I became enthralled with the skill employed in the iambic and trochaic structures utilised by William Shakespeare in his blank verse. Although I admired his work greatly, I preferred to vacate his blank verse style and employ the balancing cleverness of rhyme. It is with these overlapping influences, generally, that my poetric writing is most prolifically fashioned - but then, sometimes, I chose to stray. The poems in my first book had been assembled from years of sporadic writings in which there are moments where I had searched my innermost soul. Being a raw beginner, I had published this book in a beautifully lavish hard cover leather binding (and I also had some bound in buckram) which made the book economically infeasible in the market place. They now adorn my library shelves. (Do we call that "over-kill"?) Later, when I had some more material written, I decided to amalgamate my more recent material with that which was previously published and proceeded to publish "On - Volume 2" - this volume - however, in a far less ostentatious manner than previously. (I believed I had learned my lesson on "over-kill") I challenge anyone who ventures inside these pages, where I have, at times, bared my innermost feelings, to resist that nagging impulse which will, within them, threaten to thrust my words deeply into their own soul. "Who Dares - Wins" (Commando motto)
About the Author: Ron Mealing was born Sydney, Australia, June 18, 1937 and, after graduation from school, spent most of his early adult life as a professional Accountant eventually opening his own CPA practice. Ron eventually became highly qualified in the post graduate field of Cost & Management Accounting and he actively pursued a professional excellence in this field. He lectured extensively on his specialty and published many writings on Cost Management, generally for manufacturing, but mostly addressing the peculiarities relating to the printing and associated industries. He travelled the world many times on being called upon to solve highly complex management accounting problems in a variety of industries. Becoming tired of constant travel, much of it international, Ron sold his practice to a large firm of Chartered Accountants into which he continued to provide service as a specialist cost and management accounting consultant. In 1979, he began to change his professional direction to the field of literature. His first illustrated children's story book was published in Australia in 1984 entitled "Adventures in the Lost Kingdom of Radish" and this was widely acclaimed as a potential classic. Ron actively pursued his dream to have his first work theatrically exhibited but, heavily committed to this endeavour financially, was severely impacted by the 1987 recession and, in early 1988, to recover his finances, took a commission in Papua New Guinea working with the natives in the massive gold rush in the Western Highlands. He migrated to the USA later that year, settling finally, in Nashville, Tennessee early in 1991, where he continued to work on developing his literary properties. Although most interested in developing children's fantasy, Ron deviated often into writing poetry which gave him a well deserved rest from his principal endeavour. By 2011, Ron had produced and hosted two TV shows (receiving one award), published his first poetry book, "On - Volume 1", theatrically exhibited his first animated short "The Story of Night & Day" numerous times in Los Angeles and New York (receiving three "Best Animation" awards) and also in Cannes, France, published his first cartoon book, "On the Language of Cricket", published his second poetry book, "On - Volume 2", commenced his third, and, returning, once more, to the pursuit of his long-standing dream, had commenced production on a full length animated movie series based on his 1984 children's book.