Last evening’s twilight brought two distant birds gliding across the sky — a quiet moment I thought little of at the time. But this morning, Gina’s birthday bundle arrived from Kuala Lumpur, carrying its own warmth across the miles. Suddenly those birds felt like a gentle reflection of our long friendship: separated by distance, yet always moving within the same sky. From that pairing of twilight wings and Gina’s thoughtful bundle, this three‑couplet poem emerged — three small waves of acknowledgement, connection, and renewal.
Gina’s response: “This is a very special poem — yes, please post it; too beautiful to be kept hidden. Love the second stanza about the stars.” — Gina



Distant Stars — A Poem for Gina
Long grey clouds may separate our friendship,
but distance is not part of the script.
We endearingly continue to wave from afar,
like a constellation’s pair of outlying stars.
Luminously looking forward to our next meeting,
and tenderly renewing our curriculum vitae greetings
A fitting accompaniment — Angus & Julia Stone’s “Celestial Bodies,” a live performance with the same quiet, sky‑bound warmth that inspired this poem.
Ivor Steven © August 2026

‘continue to wave from afar…’ That is so special. I like to think that is what we do to each other here on WordPress. Hi, Ivor and Frankie…from afar. 👋
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Thank you for your lovely words and Gina is indeed a wonderful WP friend who has been to visit me here in Geelong a number of times 🥰🌏📖
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A wonderful post about a wonderful friendship 💜💜
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Yes, a wonderful WP friendship and we still manage to catch up every couple of years 💙🌏📖
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Amazing💜💜
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A WP friendship which continues to be amazing 📘🌏💙
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A beautiful gift
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The best my friend
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😍😍😍
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what a wonderful birthday arrival!
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One of the best kind, Beth
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I love this beautiful poem for your lovely friend, Gina, my dear Ivor. How wonderful for you to know you have so many friends who continue to wave to you from afar! 🙋🏼♀️🌎🥰🌏
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Our WP family is certainly a very friendly one, Nancy… and Gina is an extra special one. She has been here to visit a number of times. She’s no longer on WP, but we still stay in contact via the super app’ Messenger, to share our joint love of poetry 🥰🌏📖🐶
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You’re right about our WP Family! I’ve made many wonderful friends and stay in contact with a few of them via email. I remember seeing Gina in photos you posted from her last visit with you in Australia. She’s a lovely lady. 🥰
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Yes, I’m lucky that she uses my home to stay when visiting other friends downunder 🥰🌏
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a very special poem for a very special friend! 😍😂👌
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Thank you so much, Carol 🥰🌏🤗
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Oh, how wonderful! A beautiful poem for beautiful, sweet Gina! 🙂 She is such a special lady! 🙂
I miss her here on WP! I hope she is doing very well! 🙂 ❤️
(((HUGS))) and ❤️❤️❤️ for Ivor, Frankie, and Gina!!! 🙂
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Oh, she’s a grandma now (2) and has downsized into a new little place … and she plans to visit me and Frankie again next year 🥰🌏🐶
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YAY! Congrats to Gina! 🙂 (I love being a grandma! 🙂 )
YAY! So glad she will be able to visit you again! 🙂
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Yes, and I’m sure Gina loves being a new grandpa 👴🥰🌏
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Wonderful.
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Wonderfully so.
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How nice! What a nice surprise!
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Yes indeed my friend
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Oh Ivor, this is so beautiful! 💙
The way you wove the twilight birds into a metaphor for your friendship with Gina, and then that poem captured it so perfectly ‘like a constellation’s pair of outlying stars.’
It’s friendship in its truest form: separated by distance yet always moving within the same sky. ‘Luminously looking forward to our next meeting’ what a gorgeous line. This is a gift of a poem for a gift of a friendship.
Love & Hugs
Khadija 💕🤗
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Oh, sincerely thank you for lovely comments, and Gina messaged me this afternoon to say how much she enjoyed my post … 🥰✏📝📘💙
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So beautifully done
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aw, too sweet … happy returns young man!
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Yes, sweet words for a very sweet lady, Kate
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Nice to see you in love again Ivor … life goes on!
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