It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Ron · Post by **Ron** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:40 am

Good one Stephen, Aussie' to the boot straps!
(it makes a lot of scents to me!

)
Ron

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:41 am

Thank you, Vic and Ron.

Glenny Palmer · Post by **Glenny Palmer** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:43 pm

This is a lovely piece Stephen. I enjoyed it.

Just for discussion.................

The correct use of the word 'myriad' seems to be one of those subjects with no decisive conclusion. (A bit like how many syllables are in the word 'fire.'

) Personally I think that when it used as a noun it should be followed by 'of.' However, I dislike it being used as a noun. I much prefer its use to be an adjective. eg. 'myriad aromas.' As it means 'a great many of' (10000 in the original Greek) the adjective sits better grammatically IMO. I suggest that you could adapt your line...

There’s a myriad aromas, each one clear as any bell........to......

There are myriad aromas, each one clear as any bell......because, as it is, it seems to require the 'of' after 'myriad', and that would upend your great meter.

Any thoughts on this?

A beautiful poem nonetheless.....
Cheeers
Glenny

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:55 pm

Thanks, Glenny.

Yes, myriad is tricky. I'm pretty sure I'm right as I've used it, though I stand to be corrected of course. I do remember giving it a fair bit of thought back in Yr 11 or 12, and eventually 'battening down' my understanding of how it should be used. I was always taught - with great emphasis - that 'myriad of' was most definitely wrong, and to be avoided at all costs!

Glenny Palmer · Post by **Glenny Palmer** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:12 pm

G'daay again Stephen,
Yes I abhor 'myriad of' too. I have always used myriad as an adjective and when the 'of' is evident in any texts I cringe....but....the debate goes on.

Has anyone else got the answers...??

Post by **Peely** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:14 pm

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary website: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myriad

Usage Discussion of MYRIAD

Recent criticism of the use of myriad as a noun, both in the plural form myriads and in the phrase a myriad of, seems to reflect a mistaken belief that the word was originally and is still properly only an adjective. As the entries here show, however, the noun is in fact the older form, dating to the 16th century. The noun myriad has appeared in the works of such writers as Milton (plural myriads) and Thoreau (a myriad of), and it continues to occur frequently in reputable English. There is no reason to avoid it.

Glenny Palmer · Post by **Glenny Palmer** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:49 pm

Peely wrote: There is no reason to avoid it.

....except that it gives me hives.....

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:01 pm

Well put, Glenny. Same here - or at least, something similar. Asthma, perhaps.

Robyn · Post by **Robyn** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:46 pm

I'm with Glenny on this one. I've always thought a myriad of should be avoided, as Stephen has done. But I would think the plural aromas should take the plural form of the verb are, which would make it There are myriad aromas.
I have no special qualifications to feel this way... I just do.

Stephen Whiteside · Post by **Stephen Whiteside** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:58 pm

Yes, you're probably right, Robyn. I didn't give it a lot of thought, to be honest. Poetic license, perhaps?

ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves

Re: It's Just the Smell of Gum Leaves