A poem I wrote in response to Derrick Knight’s article about “Clearing Up After Storm Gerrit” >> https://derrickjknight.com/2024/01/03/clearing-up-after-storm-gerrit/
Please Note: All photos in my post today were originally taken by Derrick Knight, and I have ‘cropped’ the ones below to fit my article
Stalking the Wards (a Tanka)
After the wild storm
Nature wears her old matron’s
Reigning uniform
Staying to stalk the ward’s lawns
And nurse flora back to norm
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
Today’s Throwback poem was written when I was on a tour in China, and here we were in Beijing, at an ancient family home (500 years old) being entertained by the lady of the house playing traditional Chinese music on her antique Guzheng instrument.
“Zither”, was the winning Haiku in a Haiku competition run by Vita Brevis Poetry Magazine, in November 2018
Nov 2, 2018. Editor, Brian Geiger. For those of you who didn’t know, I hosted an October haiku contest a couple weeks ago. I’m happy to reveal our winner: Submitted by Ivor Steven. Zither
Zither (a Haiku)
Chinese courtyard sounds
Guzheng music gently strums
Beijing alley hums
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
Shadowed Ground
I look up and wonder why
The moon is fearfully hiding
In the fading twilight sky
As he forlornly looks down
Upon our shadowed ground
Knowing our King of Peace
Wears a shrouded crown
Dauðalogn Translation: “Calm of death”
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
A Summer Storm at the Cafe
The second day of the year
And our volatile summer is here
Things remain the same in our sphere
The morning was sunny and warm
But the day soon transforms
And the afternoon’s dark storm clouds
Were our thunderous shrouds
Frankie cuddles up near
As Thor’s hammer rings loud and clear
Video Below, Sigur Ros, performing a 3 minute section of their song “Von”, (which means “Hope”)
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/
OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
As The Sun Sinks Down
The New Year’s Eve sun
Is perpetually the finale one
Sadly
The golden eye sinks down
Upon our war-torn towns
Sadly
Carrying a worried and worn-out frown
From dressing over the world’s
Shredded wedding gowns
And wondering which old clown
Will wear tomorrow’s battered crown
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/
OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
The New Year is Here, or, Growing Up Too Early (a Tanka)
“What’s the right season”
The small summer mushroom asks
“Am I too early
Ouch, this midday sun is hot
I need autumn’s cooling clouds”
Vaka, English translation; day before, evening before, eve
Ivor Steven (c) January 1st, 2024
The Summer Book Fair will showcase Indie Authors from across Victoria and help you find new favourite Authors. FREE entry to all visitors. And I will be one of the “Indie Authors” at the Book Fair
14 Jan 2024, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Community Hall, Barwon Heads, 77 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads VIC 3227, Australia
The Book Reality Experience presents the Barwon Heads Indie Author Book Fair, which celebrates stories from children’s books through to horror, sci-fi, fantasy and every genre in between. We can’t wait to welcome you to this one-day event filled with Author Exhibits, readings and the opportunity to talk directly with independently published authors… some of whom will become your new favourites. FREE entry to all visitors.
Click here to learn more about the authors in attendance.
Featured Image Above: The 63 Degrees Cafe, which is across the road from the Box Office Cafe
A happy Frankie, and the little Finch … The Book Bird message.
The New Year is Near (a Tanka)
I’m across the road
At a different cafe
It is New Year’s Eve
Today the Box Office closed
Early for the holiday
Ivor Steven (c) December/January 2023/2024
Featured Image Above: A photo of the Geelong Library, affectionately known as “The Dome”
Seven days ago I posted a poem called “Stars”, a piece about “The Dome Poets” Christmas Party ‘brunch’, and where we were each to bring a short poem about our poetry group (Secret), which was then folded and drawn from a hat, and recited by the drawer.
Today I am presenting a poem from that Day, by a fellow ‘Dome Poet’, Emma, and the piece was a Christmas Ode about ‘me’ , and Emma kindly gave me her poem, “The Wordmaster” (attached below) when the party concluded …
A Poem About Me, by Fellow Dome Poet, Emma.
By, Emma Jones, The Dome Poetry Group, 6/12/2023
Ivor Steven (c) December 2023
My poem here, was a response/comment to Jevannel’s positive article, >> https://jevannelacademy.com/just-a-random-entry/ , which I have slightly altered to create this verse
The Swing’s Tempo
Life is full of challenges
Living alone is a challenge
Life’s challenges are there to be hurdled
Don’t let the world bring you down
The trees of life have many branches
Choose your strongest branch
Attach a lullaby swing
And enjoy all the highs
And flow with the lows
Of the swing’s enchanting tempo
Ivor Steven (c) December 2023
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 