This Fence (2001)

“This Fence” is a poem I posted on my Site when I first began blogging in June/July 2017, however I originally wrote the piece back in 2001, when I was recovering from my first stroke in Sept’ 2000 … My words from 22 years ago seem be applicable today, as I start my recovery program from this week’s diabetes diagnosis…


This Fence


I am quickly nearing this fence.

An obstacle of a lifetime I see.

And from my side of this fence,

The hurdle is too high for me.

And on the other side of this fence,

There seems nowhere to land or flee.


I have arrived at this fence,

Above the pickets, just grey sky.

And on my side of this fence,

The grass is brown and dry.

On the other side of this fence,

The grass is green, but still I cry.

How am I to clear this fence,

There seems nowhere to go or get by.


This fence, all built of stones,

Breaks my spirit, and all my bones.




Ivor Steven (c) November 2023

Published by

ivor20

G'day, and welcome to my blog site. My name is Ivor Steven, I live in Geelong, Australia. I'm an ex-industrial chemist, and a retired plumber, and a former Carer of my wife(Carole), for 30 years, who suffered from severe MS. I Write poetry about those personal thoughts, throughout and beyond my life as a Carer. I've been blogging for over 2 years, and writing poems for 19 years. Of course a lot of my poems are about my favourite subject Carole, but since I've been blogging my writings have become quite varied, humourous, mystical, observational, and even a few monster/horror poems.

34 thoughts on “This Fence (2001)”

  3. This will NOT break your spirit, Ivor! Thinking of all you’ve been through in your life…and you not only survived, but thrived…I say you got this! You will conquer it! And you have all of us praying for you, cheering you on, caring about you! You don’t go it alone. ❤️
    You are an inspiration and encouragement to so many of us! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️
    PS… “…Life may be hard to live some days But you can count on your loved ones
    When you think you can’t face the world outside Good friends are there to pull you up…” – Lone Deer 🙂

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    1. Thank you Carolyn for your lovely encouragement …yes I’ll cope ok … just feeling disappointed at the moment … because dad was a diabetic, I get tested every year … so this is sudden change to my system …Oh that Loner Deer song is his brand new release and his lyrics are superb … 🎵😍❤💙🌏😊🐶

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      1. I understand the disappointment. I felt the same way when I got cancer. My Dad, his dad (my grandpa), my Dad’s sisters (who everyone said I “looked like and took after”), a niece, my oldest sister, etc., all battled cancer…I knew my day was coming, but it was still a bit saddening when it did, not knowing to what it extent it would change my life.
        (((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️

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      2. Yes … it was half expected to happen but that didn’t stop my disappointment … I shall regroup and do what Ivor does best … keep scrambling over the hurdles in front of me 😊🌏😍🐶💚

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    1. Thank you kindly Bree … a 22 year old poem which can pertain to anyone’s journey through those testing times …
      One of my very early poems, it was raw, but they were truthful words straight from traumatised heart 💜

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      2. I move with the leaves
        I shine with the chrome
        I’m almost alive
        I’m almost at home
        No one to follow
        And nothing to teach
        Except that the goal
        Falls short of the reach … Leonard Cohen, from his poem/song “The Goal”

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