Dear readers and followers, I’m in a conundrum. Below are five of my poems that I’ve choosen to submit for pubilication, in the 2019 Geelong Writers Annual Anthology. The problem for me, is that I’m only allowed, to submit TWO !!! Please help… if you wish to, chose “2” and mention them in your comment on this article…. I would gratefully accept any feedback… Thank you…. And Of course I have to do my submission before I leave for New York, on Wednesday 24th April.
*1 I Dream On Snippets
I’m living on snippets
A snip here, a piece there
I don’t watch TV news nor read newspapers
There’s no need to see more
False dreams don’t swim in my sea
And realities fill my soul with broken keys
I don’t watch many movies
I know their spirit’s are within me
And their ghosts live beyond what I see
I’m sipping on the holy grail
A thimble of wine
To a chalice of water
There’s no need to drink more
Rivers of tears have already flooded my heart
And clouds fill my soul with yesterdays rain
I’m eating snippets
A morsel here, a crumb from there
I don’t hunt for my groceries
There’s no need to eat more
Food magically lands on my plate
Delivered by angels who look after me
I’m breathing wisps of air
Gasping for my invisible share
Enough to activate my inner being
There’s no need to inhale more
The sky is infinite and free
And the trees air fills my lungs, regenerating me
*2 Leafless Branches
There’s a warning sign swirling in my yard
Words are being splattered on my fence
Blown in by today’s gale
Leafless branches are flying around
Nature’s own, final count down
Suddenly, on the horizon, there’s a red-brown cloud
Rolling in, over the barren hills
And a dust-storm quickly engulfs the air
Racing silver clouds and blue sky
Invisible through the thick red haze
Dry topsoil from the western plains
Aerially transported by the wind’s angry throat
And there’s no calming the dusty tempest
Until mother nature has had her way
I stand here, leaning against her force
Feeling her violence, pitch dirt in my face
*3 My Rainbow
Over mountains, into a distant sky
Blazing hues of African butterflies
Sparkling reflections of our last goodbyes
Did you see my yesterday rainbow
She’s ruby red, yellow and blue
The heavenly ring, in everyone’s view
Above you, a perfect archway
Behind you, a forever shining sun-ray
Around you, a golden halo everyday
*4 Don’t Ask Me Why
Unknowingly, I often dream of her serene ashen face
Years ago, I gently held her frailty in my tired arms
Softly whispering to her, last words of love and grace
Don’t ask me why, I count the days, since I’ve missed her charms
I cannot give you a sensible nor plausible answer
Don’t ask my why, I count the weeks, since I lost my way
I’m unable to fathom the depths of my inner cancer
Don’t ask me why, I count the months, since she died that day
Because I’m still gradually recovering
Remembering she’ll never ever go away
And somehow, I’m steadily rediscovering
Knowing someday, I’ll be allowed to stay
*5 Beyond The Brick Wall
My time’s feeling lost and unrequired
Yesterday, I was worn and tired
Today, I did reach for the sky
Tomorrow, I’ll give life another try
Yesterday, I hit the brick wall
Today, I jumped every puddle
Tomorrow, hurdles will be castles in the sand
Everyday, my unknown future lays in my hands
Every-week, my dream looks like potter’s clay
Today, I uncovered tomorrow is the next day
Tomorrow, is not my vision of times to come
Tomorrow, is the beginning of my shining sun
Ivor Steven (c) 2019

My Rainbow and Don’t ask me why. 😍
Congratulations Ivor. Love and hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kisses dear Nandita, thank you very much
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, my dear. You look good. Stay well. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
#2 and # 3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dear Colleen xx
LikeLike
You’re very welcome Ivor 🙂
LikeLike
I’m no help as I like all of them! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, ok I’ll send them two poems 😂😂💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m dream on snipets and Rainbow (Rainbow, my favorite). ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Paulette 🤗🤗💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of them! But most definitely “Leafless Branches.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dear Robert,
LikeLike
I love them all! 1,4&5 stood out to me the most. If I had to pick two, I’d say “Don’t Ask Me Why” and “Beyond the Brick Wall”. Beautiful work, Ivor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Heather, I truly appreciate your imput 😊🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anytime, Ivor! I love your work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗🤗💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, tough one. All great, but I would go with #2 & #3.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you River
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
3 and 4 for me Ivor! If in doubt throw darts at the dart board with your left hand (if right handed!) until you hit 2 choices.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, sounds like a good idea, thanks Peter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol love them all but 4 and 5 would be my picks … no idea how you’ll do this as we all like different ones … maybe pick numbers from a hat, or roll a dice, good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha.. Thank you Kate, I’m doing it on a vote system…. I’ll let everybody know Sunday or Monday, when I’ll have to do my submission….
LikeLiked by 1 person
you probably know deep down which ones you prefer Ivor … go with your gut, it never lies!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My gut is out of whack at the moment, all I’m of thinking of is my holiday, poetry has really dropped off my radar at the moment, but I must do this submission before I go… !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
then simply add our votes and submit the two highest scores, good you are so excited but take off will come quick enough 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha 5 days… but who’s counting !!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol … maybe you 😉
Hope the easter bunny leaves you plenty of eggs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love them all but i like more
– My Rainbow and
– Beyond The Brick Wall
KISSES and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the vulnerability implied by the lack of protection in ‘Leafless Branches’ and the reduced grieving process in ‘Don’t ask me why”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Derrick for your helpful reply and comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a difficult decision, Ivor! “My Rainbow” & “Don’t Ask Me Why” touched me more, but you could go with any combination..what a great position to be in, eh! Well done you! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind comments and your selections, 😉🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really liked 3 & 4 an awful lot!! 😊 Good luck with the submission!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your comment. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome. 😊
LikeLike
Twq and Four, maybe. I see #2 is coming in strong.
LikeLike
Thank you Oneta for reading and your imput xx
LikeLike