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.

Life’s U-turns

Hi dear readers, despite being incredibly busy cleaning house for my Philadelphia cousins and also trying to format my agenda for my book launch on Sunday! … today’s poem was drafted at the ‘Box Office Cafe’ yesterday afternoon and I’ll be reciting it at “Lowercase Poetry’s” open Mic’ event tomorrow evening. The Theme/Prompt for the Poetry Night is “Slow Burn”

Life’s U-turns

The old body is almost awake

Sleep lingers in my eyes

My aching back needs exercise

And creaks like a rusty gate

My doggie looks at me quizzically

He is full of pizzazz and glee

“It’s breakfast time

Forget your memories and rhymes”

I cannot row the boat anymore

These chalky bones are too sore

From the crashes in life’s u-turns

Now, dry wicks for my candle’s slow burn

Don’t worry, today, is not my turn

To join her in the mantle-piece urn

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) April 2023

Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk (a Haiku)

” When life gives you a reason to break down and cry, show life that you have a hundred reasons to smile and laugh.”

Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk (a Haiku)

Breakfast milk is spilt

A silky pool on the floor

The bottle didn’t break

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) April 2023

Drizzly Drops, is in this week’s Coffee House Writers Magazine

Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “Cracks and Holes”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. … please click on the link below to view my poem, at Coffee House Writers. >> https://coffeehousewriters.com/drizzly-drops/

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) April 2023

Perceptions, Video Trailer

A big thank you to Judy at Jaymah Press [https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/] for creating this fabulous Promotional Trailer for me …

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) April 2023

Visitors and My Book Launch

“Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.” – Charles Addams
My two Philadephia cousins will be staying at my little abode in seven days time, which also happens to be the day of my “Perceptions” book launch. I have not been panicking “much”, and my cleaning-up and preparation has been a process of organised chaos!

Visitors and My Book Launch (a Tanka)

Before the events

Preparation means calmness

Self-doubts slowly fade

My cousins will be comfy

And the book launch is ready

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) April 2023

Feel the Light (a Tu-aiku)

Hi dear readers, as you might know, I have written numerous ‘Double or Dual Haiku’, but I am yet to find a suitable ‘Format Name’ for this different style of Haiku … Today I have named my ‘Double Haiku‘ a “Tu-aiku” and this is the format name I’ll be using from now on … Please let know if you like my “Tu-aiku” name for a ‘Double Haiku’.

Feel the Light (a Tu-aiku)

The autumn magpie

Walks among the leaves and worms

An Easter parade

Below the greyness

We will always feel the light

Warmly caress us

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) April 2023

Throwback Friday, Hot Cross Buns and Chocolates

Hello dear readers and followers, the poem I am reposting today is an ”Alphabet” poem that I wrote at Easter time 4 years ago, two days before I left to fly to NewYork, on my way to visiting my Philadelphia cousins, who I had never met, and of course I was also to meet my favourite niece and penpal “Kerri” for the “First” time … So, I thought I would try to write my “First” every Alphabet Poem, to celebrate my “First” every trip to New York and Philadelphia …
Oh, … by the way, my Philadelphia cousins, Maureen and Terry are here now in Melbourne for Easter, and will be coming down to Geelong to stay with me, in week’s time …

Hot Cross Buns and Chocolates

America, here I come, ready or not

Beyond my bed-zoned borders

Chasing those forgotten horizons

Dreams are finally blossoming

Easter treats are tucked in my pockets

Fancy editions of my poems, are packed in the case

Giant airports and planes abound

Hot cross buns, and more chocolates are eaten

Inspiring my week’s holiday mood

Jet engines soaring aloft

Kidnapping me by default

Lawyers left floundering

My medical records lost in transit

Naughty nightingales, again covering for me

Opening my doorways, to the promised land

Passing high above the melody, at heaven’s archway

Quarantine played, Leonard’s Tower Of Song

Rumblings, I hear from a distant Bensalem yard

Spiritual chants, from my family circle

Telepathic messages, humming on a magic carpet ride

Unbroken my promise, now to be honoured

Vikings and villains to be avoided

Weapons disguised, under the statues torch of liberty

Xylophones I hear, playing on the streets of New York

Young ladies are dancing to my tune, Hallelujah

Zero-ground, salutes me there, staying upside down

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) April 2023

Above The Lamps (a Haiku)

Above The Lamps (a Haiku)

Up there in the clouds

Above artificial lamps

Sunlight blooms softly

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) April 2023

The Tree Roots Of Our Homes

A poem that was prompted by my doggie ‘Frankie’, who seemingly, trotted off too far away during our walkie this morning. He was enjoying being off his lead, then he turned around to see where I was and suddenly realised he was “Too far away” and he came running back to me … that sense of ‘Home and Love’ was a gorgeous moment to savour … Hopefully, my photos captured those moments.

The Tree Roots Of Our Homes

How far, is too far?

Too far away from home

Too far away from love

Love does not grow on trees

Love grows inside trees

Love flows down

Down inside the tree roots

The tree roots of our homes

The tree roots that enwrap our earth

The tree roots that capture our souls

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) April 2023

My Haircut (a Haiku by ‘Frankie’)

My Haircut (a Haiku by ‘Frankie’)

“I was too woolly”

That is what my master said

“Have you seen my coat?”

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) April 2023