- Feature Poem: I Am the Bello
- Musings: Last Chance to vote in the Best of Austin Poll

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Greetings <:firstname:>,

I did it. Ask me what I do for a living and I will triumphantly say, "I am a musician." It's taken 12 years to achieve this goal, and I am excited to reach it at last. Thank you for all Your help to that end.

Last Chance to vote in the Best of Austin Poll

I just noticed that voting for the Best of Austin Poll ends today! I really need your help for this. I have a great opportunity to be voted the Best of Austin as a poet if everyone joins in to vote. So please vote and ask your friends to vote too.

Anything is possible. Look at the Battle of the bands from last month. "Wild Kitty" won the competition. As soon as they find a few new songs for me to compete against, I will enter the second round of battles.

I will be thrilled to win Best Poet with my new book, Bella Filíocht. Many thanks for your votes.

Renaissance Festival Podcast

Three weeks ago, I started a new podcast with my girlfriend. It's called the Renaissance Festival Podcast. It features music and entertainment from the Renaissance Festivals. You can listen and download it through the website. Feel free to tell your friends too.

If you don't want to download by hand, get a podcast catcher to download it for you. The latest version of iTunes has it listed in the directory so go download it today.

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Drop me a line and say, "hello". Slainte!
- Marc

I Am the Bello
by Marc Gunn, Dec 12, 2002
from: Bella Filiocht

"Bello" in Italian means "beautiful". In the Veneto dialect, it is pronounced "Bay-yo". Nancy and I used the words "Bello" and "Bella" as pet names for each other. For us, it was a sign of not just our beauty, but also our strength, love and resolve. I still think of myself as Bello rather than Marc.

I am the Bello,
The beautiful man.
I am strong and courageous and free of spirit.
I cannot be tamed.
I am the Bello.

I am Bello.
Beauty surrounds me.
Those who I meet, those who I love, those I greet,
Are astounded by me.
I am Bello.

I am Marc.
I am a friend of all.
When I feel weak, I will stand strong. I will stand tall.
I encourage those I love. And I am encouraged by them in return.
I am Marc.

I am a Child of God.
I am humble and meek.
I serve those around me. I am served by those I meet.
Let no one deny Christ's blessings in and of me.
I am a Child of God.

I am the Bello.
It is Christ who is beautiful in me.
I am naught without my Lord and Savior. I'm naught, but His.
If you love the beauty resounding in me, know Jesus, and
You will know the Bello.

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Marc Gunn is a musician, photographer, poet, author, American Scotsman, songwriter, music download connoisseurs, web designer, Rennie, online entrepreneur, and a bunch of other labels that don't a whole lot, but all entirely independent.

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The Autoharps That Encircle My Life
by Nancy e. Pearsall. I own a couple autoharps. *smirk*

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The Last Day at Work

Best of Austin 2005

"The Ballad of Joss"

The Story that Led Me to Music

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