Frankie proof-reading “Until Eyes Hear Sound”… After, reading is tiring
“The Proof is in the Pudding”
“Woof, woof, posties at the front door”
Yeah! The proof copy has arrived
And intuitively, Frankie knows
This new book is important
And especially precious to me
As I place the book between his paws
So he can carefully turn the pages
And diligently do a proof-read for me
“Woof, woof, your poems are easy to read”
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
Going back in my files I discovered that I have “2” poems titled “Birds On Wires”. The First one is from July 2020 and the Second piece is from March 2023, so I decided to post both Poems … maybe you can let me know which one is your favourite.
Birds On Wires, (July 2020, which appears in “Until Eyes Hear Sound” page 12)
Here on the edge of lower earth
Beyond the urban concrete girth
Withering trees are trying to grow
Reaching for that mystical power flow
Hungering for energy from contaminated ground
Not the airwaves of false sonic sound
Man-made arrows cluttering the sky
Unnatural webs soaring high
Bird snatching wires
Hanging on cold steal spires
Carriers of these modern times
The pulse of humanities crimes
Birds On Wires (March 2023)
Weary gray clouds
Lay anchored in the sky
Moist air hangs breathless
Not a wisp to disperse the flies
An anxious sweaty dampness
Clings to everything
Birds on wires sit motionless
Waiting for a thermal updraft
To lift spirits beyond this world of smallness
Where greed and wars seem senseless
And remain the leader’s primary craft
“Until Eyes Hear Sound”, Due out March 21st
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
Over at Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is the word: Scary. You can visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here. Below my poem is a “Scary” metaphorical anti-war Tanka.
Midas-Touched Lands (a Tanka)
Sunset’s golden eye
Cries saffron spice seeds worldwide
Hard drops of yellow
Spreading beyond Eastern skies
Clouding those Midas-touched lands
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
The butterflies were everywhere
A Butterfly Parade
I was admiring the view
Along Nature’s Avenue
When I stumbled upon
A flickering band of white light
A wondrous silky cloud
Of fluttering butterflies
They were everywhere
Unflaggingly flying
Hither and thither
A quivering milky river
The sunshine’s zither kisser
Wings humming a choral melody
A pearly parade, poised, ready to deliver
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
Alex Steven (Dad), February 5th 1924 – July 3rd 2015
Under a Clear Blue Sky, I’m Thinking of You
(Happy Birthday Dad)
Oine hundred years ago
When the summer sun
Rose for you
Did the midday moon?
Shine on you too
Ivor Steven (c) February 5th 2024
Yesterday, Judy, my editor/publisher, set me one last task before my manuscript could be sent to the printers, which was to design a Back Cover with an interesting ‘Blurb’ for my new book. By using my ‘Canva App’, and reworking Kerri’s Front Cover design, I was happy with the image that I created. Then the difficult part was writing an appropriate ‘Blurb’ for my book, which was to be my debut attempt at writing such a piece. After many torn-up drafts and lots of frustrating self-doubts, I eventually produced my ‘Blurb’.
“Until Eyes Hear Sound”, My ‘Blurb’
The title ‘Until Eyes Hear Sound’ could mean different things depending on your interpretation. It could be a poetic expression, a metaphor for waiting for something to happen, or a way of describing a state of deep concentration where one is so focused on one’s inner vision that one becomes oblivious to external sounds.
Ivor’s poems do not suggest having the answers, but his words encourage you to think about the environment we live in, as he ponders the purpose of our existence in the Universe.
“If you love poetry that challenges, inspires, and moves you, this book is for you.”
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
Early July 2017, my blog/website was only 3 weeks old when I wrote this abstract poem, ‘Fruit Loopy’ … hmmm … and I am not sure what my thoughts were at the time … but I had only been in my new little abode for 5 months, and I was finishing off building the verandah, and starting to create a courtyard garden … I suppose I was “dreaming” about how much Carole would have loved my new home, so hence the “funny title”
Fruit Loopy
The juices of expectation
are upon me again.
Dreaming of yesteryear
and clambering for today.
Through my pores
a taste of sweetness.
My apple of love
the fruit for tomorrow.
Vale, Melaine Safka, she was one of kind
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
How Many?
How many desert wars will we have to foresee?
Before all the armies are drowned by the sea
How many bridges are we to burn?
Before we reach the point of no return
How many children must suffer again and again?
Before humanity learns how to steer the peace train
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
Today I received a lovely message from Lisa, Editor/Publisher at ‘Prolific Pulse Press’ >> https://www.prolificpulse.com/
Dear Ivor, I love the poem you just sent for Cadence and would love to publish it with the anthology. It truly put a smile on my face.
Of course, I cannot post the poem until after the Anthology has been published in March, but I can tell you that my delightful poem is about “Charlie the Caterpillar shuffling over the track to help his little friend, Billy the Bee
Ivor Steven (c) March 2024
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 