Pigeons of the World (a Tanka)

This afternoon’s sky gifted me a flock of silhouettes — pigeons rising and circling through the light as if carrying the world’s weight on their wings. Their quiet resilience inspired the Tanka below, a small reflection on the lives caught beneath the shadows of conflict.





Pigeons of the World (a Tanka)

Here under the sun
I am not the only one
Being overrun
By the world’s greedy hired guns
Who’s minding our war torn sons?






And still the sky remembers what we forget — even the pigeons know the rise and fall of empires.





Ivor Steven ©  August 2026

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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.

29 thoughts on “Pigeons of the World (a Tanka)”

    1. Thank you so very much for your lovely words my friend … sorry, no blogging tonight, the brick wall collapsed all around me … my CHW submission took me all day 🌏📘🥰🎶

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  5. I love pigeons and your photos are so lovely. Your poem asks the right question. A question that has once answer…”No one.” Greed. Greed. Greed. And hateful old men who care for nothing but themselves.

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  7. What a powerful important Tanka/poem you wrote, Ivor! Thank you!
    Your opening paragraph and your photos brought tears to my eyes.

    I’ve always cared about pigeons…to me they teach us about loyalty, adaptability, the importance of home, about the quiet comfort of friends…etc. I am amazed how they move peacefully and gracefully wherever they are…even on busy, noisy city streets. 🙂
    (((HUGS)))
    PS… Your posting today….words, photos, poem, and song reminded me of one of my fave quotes…”Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind…listen to the birds. And don’t hate nobody.” – Eubie Blake

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    2. Yes, pigeons are a worldwide phenomenon, content and peaceful, without destroying planet’s environments or other inhabitants … thank you the lovely quote, Carolyn (((HUGS))) 🥰🌏🤗🐶🎶📖

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