Author: 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.

Creative Geelong Market, This Saturday

It’s our Market Day this Saturday! We have a great selection of stalls from our creative members with a broad range of goods for sale… so please drop by ✨💚 – our May’d Shop will also be open!

Market Day, Saturday 18 May
11:00am-3:00pm

Here are some of the stallholders:

*Emily Wilson & Willow Ecosoaps Instagram: @willowecosoaps
*Quinn EarthChild Instagram @quinnearthchild
*Ivor Steven author & poet Instagram @ivors20
*Jennifer Cromarty Art Instagram @jencromartyart
*Print on Demand by Aaron Instagram @pod_by_aaron
*Jazzyskye Designs Instagram @jazzyskyedesigns
*Margaret Primmer artist
*Darihan Mullenger Instagram @dari.han_
*Scott Villarosa instagram.com/villama.de/
*Coastal Air Creations Art
*Faith O’Malley Instagram @art_byfaith_
*Blind Sider Arts Instagram @blindsiderarts
*Effie Hand Painted Fabrics Instagram @effie_handpaintedfabrics
*Art by Faith Instagram @art_byfaith_
*Deb Gartland Gellibrand River Gallery Instagram @gellibrand_river_gallery
*Choc Chip Please Instagram @chocchipplease
ToastArtWrkz – Timethe Alves

We’d love to see you on Saturday at the
Creative Geelong Hub, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St Geelong







Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Watching Birds Fly Into the Wind, (a Double Tanka)

Over at Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is: Humility. Please visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here. Today my poem is about how our humble birds handle the difficulties of flying into the wind.




Watching Birds Fly Into the Wind (a Double Tanka)

The birds hover high
And struggle against strong winds
With wings at full span
They gracefully glide and dive
Tacking into the airwaves


Irrepressible
They’re powerful for their size
Like turbocharged darts
Aerodynamically
Conceived to sail through all winds







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Crimson Horizon (a Tanka)





Crimson Horizon (a Tanka)



In dusk’s pink mist sky

The luminous crescent moon

Gracefully merges

With the crimson horizon

Twilight’s cinematic show








Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

“Tonight, Hold Your Curtain Open”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine.

Hello dear readers and followers, I am a writer for “Coffee House Writers magazine” (USA), on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “Tonight, Hold Your Curtain Open”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. …
To Read my poem, please click on the link below to visit the article, at Coffee House Writers Magazine.
>> https://coffeehousewriters.com/tonight-hold-your-curtain-open/







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Creative Geelong, the MAY’D SHOP

A new initiative of Creative Geelong, the MAY’D SHOP is a retail experience that showcases the latest works from our diverse membership. From glass sculptures to clothing, paintings, and drawings to jewellery and homewares – the MAY’D SHOP will provide the community with a unique array of special creative works.
And yes, my Poetry Books are available and on display.

Creative Geelong website >> https://www.creativegeelong.com.au/

TRADING HOURS

Thursday-Saturday

11am-3pm










Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

My Women (Happy Mothers Day)

This has been a nostalgic week for me. Thursday was my mother’s birthday, and also Carole’s “funeral day” and now it is “Mothers Day”… Here is my tribute to those 2 magnificent women in my life…




My Women

After I had left the hem

Without women

I could not have survived my time

I would not have braved the climb

Ladies, you are my rhyme

My mothers of thyme

Helping me roll away the stone

Maintaining these old bones

Repairing the bridges, I have burnt

Reciting the messages, I have learnt

Cheering from the sidelines

Supporting my broken designs

Women of My Rhymes

Mothers for a lifetime






Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Nature’s Oceanic Symphony 





Nature’s Oceanic Symphony 

 
 
 
Beyond the dunes 

That is where I belong 

Lying on a sandy beach

Watching the ocean’s waves  

Lyrically draw rippled contours 

Upon the welcoming shoreline 


And where I refreshingly  

Listen to the rolling sound  

Of Nature’s Oceanic Symphony  

Rhythmically thrum, over and over  







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Throwback Friday, The Woman In Me

Me, sitting on Mum’s knee. … L to R, Carole, Aunties Elizabeth & Pearl, & Grandma

Grandma, and her 3 daughters. … My mum (left) and her lady relatives



G’day readers, It’s Friday morning here in Australia, the day after my mother’s birthday and Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Today’s Throwback Friday poem is, from September 2019.


The Woman In Me


Inside every man

There is a woman

The mother of his soul

The lady of his heart

The kindness in his touch

The passion in his blood

The woman who fostered

The way he shows love







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Do Shadows Fly? (a Tanka)

Over at Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is the word: Intuition. You can visit the fabulous site by clicking on >> Here.
In my abstract Tanka today, I used the word ‘Intuitively’





Do Shadows Fly? (a Tanka)


In the clouds, they fly

And their shadows ink the ground 

Then, intuitively

I ask, “Why do my writings

fail to go beyond the sky”







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,



Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4yFHWrT

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

I Need You

Please Note: All images were taken by Derrick Knight, and I am incredibly grateful that he kindly allows me to reproduce his photos on my poetry site.
>> https://derrickjknight.com/2024/05/04/first-foals-of-2024/





I Need You




I am proudly striding

Beside my mother

Below her handsome shoulder

And close to her cuddly hip


I rub against her warmth

So, I can hear her loving heartbeat

And feel her rhythmical breath

Calmly caress my soft ears

Here, I have no fear while she is near