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.
Yesterday evening I attended the opening of a unique Costume Exhibition, curated by Andrew Delaney, at the ‘Untether Gallery’ in Geelong. The transcripts about the show are attached below to help you understand what the “Frankenstein, Life, Death, Life” exhibition was about. In 1825 a play based on Mary Shelley’s infamous novel Frankenstein was staged in the Theatre Royale in Drury Lane. It was banned after only three performances and the costumes stored away …
The images below, are mine and were all taken at the event with the kind permission of Andrew Delaney.
Ryan Stone [https://daysofstone.wordpress.com] introduced me to the poem format Musette back in September 2022, and today, I am reposting my first-ever attempt at writing a Musette.
“Musette” three verses first line – 2 syllables second line – 4 syllables third line – 2 syllables rhyme scheme – a/b/a c/d/c e/f/e the title reflects the poem’s content
Today I completed making two book display easels for my upcoming market bookstalls There happened to be some discarded timber lying on the ground at the building site next door. The tradesmen had finished the job a month ago and these sturdy slats of wood had been left behind.
“Waste not want not” “One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure” “Opportunity knocks” “Fortune favours the brave”
My handyman’s mind clicked into gear and I drafted a rough sketch of my project I knew the size of the books I wanted to exhibit and I had all the appropriate tools in my shed
Remembering my dad’s trusted catchphrase “Measure twice, cut once” (and with my music playing) My creation, (and a few trial and error mistakes) gradually began to take shape.
Of course, there is nothing like a good coat of paint to cover up the defects and give my masterpiece that final seal of opaque professionalism!
I am excited to announce that five of my Haiku poems have been selected for the upcoming Literary Revelations Publication, Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku (coming in the second part of April). Thank you to the editor, Gabriela, for her kind consideration.
ON THE BACK OF THE COVER
Following the overwhelming success of “Petals of Haiku,” which captured hearts and souls and became an Amazon bestseller, Literary Revelations Publishing House brings you “Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku.” This new anthology will enchant readers with its delicate imagery and transitory moments, which inscribe themselves in eternity. Featuring nearly 260 talented authors, each bringing their talent and unique perspectives, Tranquility invites you to immerse yourself in a world where night flowers bloom and whispers linger in the spring air. Poets are prophets linked to nature. Haiku is their language.
THOUGHTS ON HAIKU
In haiku, seriousness and fun coexist beautifully, reminding us that it is okay to embrace both sides of our daily experiences. Consider how haiku can reflect on life’s weighty themes sometimes with a lighthearted twist. The god of haiku knows that laughter is just as profound as solemnity.
In philosophy, solemnity can feel heavy—like wearing an overstuffed winter coat on a sunny day. But then comes laughter, lightening the load and reminding us that life is not all deep dives; sometimes, it’s about splashing in puddles most graciously and beautifully.
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 