An Old Plumber, An Ex-Carer, An Amateur Poet, Words From The Heart
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.
Please Note the featured photo and attached photos above are taken from Street Art in the Geelong CBD
A Blade of Light
Far beyond my darkest night Clambering out of purgatory’s deepest void I grasp onto a single blade of light On the edge of my soulless asteroid Who rescues me from Armageddon’s endless fight
Awaking in a pool of sweat, just after midnight This meaningless nightmare gave me a hellish fright
Today’s Throwback Friday poem is from January 2021, and it was a piece that I had forgotten about, so it was a pleasant surprise to find the poem while searching my files this morning.
Playing Cards
To many questions And I do not have the answers I am running out of rhyme Is it time? To go back to school Me, a forgetful old fool Or, I could stay here Wait for the anteater to cheer Sit in my garden courtyard Avoid soul searching and just play cards With Oscar the wise old owl And Phillip the penguin, he’s my pal
Today I received the most wonderful news, that my book “Until Eyes Eyes Hear” has been accepted by the Geelong Regional Library, and will soon be available on the Library’s bookshelves. A big thank you to Pete, the Collection Support & Information Services Officer at the Geelong Library, for accepting my book. This publication now follows in the footsteps of my first two books at the Library, “Tullawalla” and “Perceptions”. I know Dad and Mum would be proud of my achievements, and that my Dear Carole would be crying tears of “Liquid Joy” for me. …
I am neither black nor white I am not day nor night I am neither sand nor sea I am not a flower or a bee I am not wrong or right I am not heavy or light
I am Clear and free I am a cool ocean breeze I am a song we breathe I am the air from our trees I am a star above your grave I am a shy sound wave
I can be brave I am your invisible slave
When I began writing (scribbling) poetry 23 years ago, not long after my first stroke, Leonard Cohen’s music and poetic lyrics had a huge influence on the emotions behind my words, and his song that I have attached below, “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong”, still evokes my heart every time I listen to the incredibly beautiful lyrics.
On this sombre Sunday morning the day is typically quiet and under the hanging grey clouds there is a whispering cool breeze for the birds to hover upon where they uniquely monitor the unpredictable world below
And while lazily meandering I cannot help but wonder what do the birds perceive? of us, unappreciative homo-sapiens as we continue to vandalize our sacred planet and randomly ravage our own nest
“The Wild”, lyrics, Mumford & Sons
We saw birth and death Can’t we be still What makes you kind From where comes your sparkling mind
Was it under the earth? Tied up in a knot Which I forgot you were ever there
Do not be afraid Do not be afraid
What’s that I see? I think it’s the wild Puts the fear of God in me
And was there a grudge Up from the dust Inconceivable lie
What’s that I see? I think it’s the wild Puts the fear of God in me
Over at Weekly Prompts, because It’s the last weekend of the month, it’s time for the “One Day” Prompt! … To visit their fabulous site, please click on >> Here
“One Day” at a Time/or, Is There Time?
Time to relax Time for coffee and a snack Time for observing Time for listening
Time is neither lost nor found Time rebounds Without a sound
Robbie’s Inspiration – Book reviews: Perceptions by Ivor Steven and Derrick Knight
What Amazon says
This colourful and fascinating book is a collection of collaborative articles. The photographs were taken by Derrick Knight from the New Forest area of southern England, and associated ekphrastic poems were written by Ivor Steven from Geelong, the other side of the world, the southern end of Australia.
My review
I am a fan of Ivor Steven’s poetry and also of Derrick Knight’s photography so this combined collection of poetry and photography is a real treat.
Ivor depicts everyday events and life through a lens of beautiful and uplifting words which is a marvelous talent. Derrick captures everyday life in an unusual and special way. I really enjoyed these combinations.
A few examples of the poetry with descriptions of the accompanying photographs:
Sunset couple on bench – a gorgeous photograph of the sun setting over water and flooding the world with golden light with a silhouette of a loving couple on a bench.
The words: A Rainbow Dance “At the end of the rainbow We shall dance and glow On nature’s golden plateau”
Autumn woodland – a wonderful photograph of a wooded area during autumn which the trees are a variety of yellows, greens and auburns. There is a large bush, in shades of beige, in the forefront.
An extract from Connected: “up there under draconian dark clouds I see a blue moon rising gracefully shrouding the horizon”
Ferns and grasses – a glorious picture of ferns and grasses adorned in shades of green and yellow, dancing in the sunlight.
Extract from The Ancient Fern Survives: “selfish, unopened minds remain numbed False eyelashes are heavy and closed Botoxed lips are silent and sealed And elephant ears have been pegged out of sight”
This book is a special combination of visual and literary delights.
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 