Cirrus@Austlit

The life of a poet is difficult because it is rife with problems. The first and foremost is that of financial difficulty, as poets will never be rich, and with that, never enjoy marriage or family life; the second is the danger in being a poet and writing about various issues such as exposing corruption.

The role of the poet in olden days of the lands of Arabia. Highly respected in his tribe, the poet was seen as a protector, defender, educator, speaker, warrior. Similarly, nothing was worse than a 'fallen' or shamed poet, who would be exiled from his tribe. Today, modern poets do not exert such influence, and are simply a 'click' away in their own little tribe, a website page online.

On the Lebanese writer and poet Amin Maalouf winning the Priz Goncourt, a French literary prize; Also on the history of this prize and how it was founded.

Literature is global; there is little difference between Russian, Arabic, English, Chinese literature, as its role remains the same - it is an integral part of our culture and our world, and shapes them both.

In memory of the Syrian poet and author Nizar Qabbani, and the impact of his loss on the Arab world as there will be none other like him.

Review of the book 'Mining and Barns' by Dr. Essam Haddad

A review of the poetry book 'Wa kayf yaz'al al-kamar' (How can the moon be upset?), a play on the title of the ancient al-Mutanabi's famous poem. In this review, Baini draws parallels between the works of both poets.

A very positive review of poet Anne Fairbairn's work, Sunlines, in which, as Baini claims, Fairbairn successfully bridges the gap between the Australian and Arabic cultures.

On a telephone conversation Baini had in 1993 between himself and the poet al-Jawahery

A commentary of the state of literary theft in Australia and the way many printed articles and short stories published in various linguistically diverse community newspapers are actually taken from other sources (without being properly credited).

Despite having been caught up in the midst of severe political turmoil, including revolutions and civil wars over the past 50 years, this small town in Lebanon has managed to survive through the preservation of its heritage because of people like prominent academic Badawy Samaan.

On acting and film in Australia and across the world, especially in comparison to the Arab world, which the author claims has a lot to offer in terms of acting, television, film and actors, but has not quite reached its deserved fame and recognition yet.

The author expresses his disapproval of the Arab author and poet Adonis's expulsion from the Arab Writers Union, claiming it is politically motivated and unjust.

An essay on the author's friend Dr Haddad and memories of the times they spent at Dr Haddad's beautiful grove in Lebanon

The story of a young girl and her millionaire father, the money and the loneliness that surrounds them, and finally the rape.

An amusing take on a fictional conversation that takes place at any event where there is a special section with 'reserved seating' that 'normal' people go and sit on (and are therefore approached by organisers and asked to vacate the seat).

The authors describes many accounts of animal rights abuse and mistreatment, from police dogs working in Australia to mice and monkeys used in experiments across universities in America.