
Hello, dear readers and followers. I write for Coffee House Writers magazine (USA) fortnightly, and my poem “Hungry Crows” (a Pantoum) is in this week’s edition. …
To read my poem, please click on the link below to visit the article, at Coffee House Writers Magazine.
>> https://coffeehousewriters.com/hungry-crows/
Hungry Crows (a Pontoum); is my metaphorical interpretation of the ‘infamous’ White House meeting between President Zelensky and President Trump
A Pantoum, Poetry Format
Stanza 1:
4 lines, ABAB rhyme scheme
Stanza 2:
Line 5 (repeat of line 2 in stanza 1)
Line 6 (new line)
Line 7 (repeat of line 4 in stanza 1)
Line 8 (new line)
Stanza 3:
Last Stanza (This is the format for the last stanza regardless of how many preceding stanzas exist):
Line 9 (line 2 of the previous stanza)
Line 10 (line 3 of the first stanza)
Line 11 (line 4 of the previous stanza)
Line 12 (line 1 of the first stanza)
“My Back Pages” Lyrics by Bob Dylan
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin’ high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I
Proud ‘neath heated brow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now.
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
“Rip down all hate,” I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull, I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now.
Girls’ faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now.
A self-ordained professor’s tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
“Equality,” I spoke their word
As if a wedding vow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now.
In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My existence led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now.
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now.
Ivor Steven (c) March 2025

Congratulations on the lovely poem, Ivor. I find this form very difficult.
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Thank you kindly, Robbie … yes, it took me a while to get the story to flow and rhyme 📖😊😍
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😊
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The ending is great.
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Thank you kindly 😊🌏📖
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You did well with this form, I enjoyed it.
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Thank you kindly, Beth 📘😀☮️
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This is the greatest group I could ever imagine! The perfect ensemble to accompany your magical Pantoum. Both are simply brilliant! Thank you, dear Ivor. 🥰
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Thank you very much for your wonderful words, Nancy … this was a Bob Dylan music/video I seen before, so I was ecstatic to couple to couple it up with my poem 🎶📘😊🌏😍☮️
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So glad you did! I’ve never seen it before. It was wondrous! You are most and always welcome, dear Ivor. 🥰
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🎶🥰
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Congratulations Ivor on publication. A very good symbolic poem
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Thank you for your kind words, Sadje … 😍📘📃
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You’re welcome
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So good Ivor 👏👏👏
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Thank you kindly, Bree 🌏😊
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Nicely crafted
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Thank you very much, Derrick
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Excellent poem, Ivor! What a unique and wonderful poetry form. Your poem flows so well!
Brilliant trio of poem, photo, and song!
Being a peaceful pigeon is what I strive to do each day.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️
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I’m so pleased you enjoy the format, Carolyn … and of course Bob Dylans was a great match for my poem … 📕📘😎🌏🎵☮
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