Category: A Throwback Friday Poem

Throwback Friday, Bedroom Fireplace

Today’s Throwback poem was my first attempt at writing a ‘Pantun’ poem format. Originally written in October 2018

Pantun :
In its most basic form, the pantun consists of a quatrain which employs an abab rhyme scheme. A pantun is traditionally recited according to a fixed rhythm and as a rule of thumb, in order not to deviate from the rhythm, every line should contain between eight and 12 syllables.



Bedroom Fireplace

Oh wondrous lounge-room fireplace
Your winter-time sparkling crackle
Glows upon our old desire’s embrace
Reciting words of trust, beyond our burnt shackles

Oh wondrous bed-room fireplace
Your winter-time warming flame
Narrates tales of our revere and grace
Flickering words of love, beyond our given name












All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) September 2024

Throwback Friday, The Ancient Fern Survives

Today’s Throwback poem is from June 2022, and is also in my book Perceptions, page 37.

Featured Image Above: by Derrick Knight > https://derrickjknight.com/2022/06/10/rich-pickings/

The Images below: are from my courtyard ..





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



But there under our careless feet
The earth’s ferns have agelessly survived
Three hundred and sixty million years
Without changing the appearance of their golden leaves
That timelessly regenerate themselves
By naturally releasing their fertilising spores



https://youtube.com/watch?v=WJ8edDThJ3A%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent









All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)

Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) August 2024

Throwback Friday, Black Snow Thaws In The Winter Sun (Revised)

Today my ‘Throwback Friday’ poem, is from June 2019, and again, as is my way, I have slightly revised the original piece.



Black Snow Thaws In The Winter Sun (Revised)

I’ve no more secret words of sorrow
Only old lines I’ve borrowed
I found them in a poet’s dusty booklet
The pages were tattered, like Grandma’s cookbook
Hidden in the family’s sacred cabinet
Faded words that now appear outdated
Years of love and dreams relegated
Stored away, but prudently not wasted

My road ahead is now cleared of black snow
The night is not always dark, you know?




https://youtube.com/watch?v=8_J3ZbpAyg4%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent









All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) August 2024

Throwback Friday, Sundown’s Flight


Last week, my poems were about nature’s theatrical light shows, and today’s Throwback poem is a very appropriate choice. Originally written in August 2019, and as is my way, I have rehashed my poem …



Sundown’s Flight


When I’m physically able
And feeling stable
I like to stroll down my dead-end lane
And study the sky’s weather vane


I see twilight clouds on the run
Being corralled by the setting sun
Shredding prisms of light, tonight’s benediction
Bright orange and grey, tomorrow’s ritzy prediction
From the horizon’s flamboyant ballet
A jazzy indication that storms are on the way


Then the shadowed treeline, merges with the cloudy red kites
And I stand here witnessing sundown’s dazzling flight




https://youtube.com/watch?v=gv9ppmEzLCI%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent









All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) August 2024

Throwback Friday, Jack’s Back

It was a frosty Zero degrees this morning, so this Throwback poem from July 2022 was today’s appropriate choice



Jack’s Back 

 

I woke at dawn 
And there was Jack  
Laying on my lawn 
 

Good morning, Mr. Frost 
I am at a loss 
With the ground so white 
And the air’s bitter bite 
Why are called Jack? 
The Jacks I know from the outback 
Are all warmhearted folks  
And happy-go-lucky blokes 
Not cold-blooded guys 
Baptized by frozen skies 

Are you a naughty and chilly skite? 
Or a noble defender of the night 
Jack! Today at first light 
You gave my warm toes an icy fright 













All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) July 2024

Throwback Friday, Knots On Blue Paper Lines

This week’s Throwback Friday poem has been hidden away for five years and is not in any of my published books. I originally wrote the piece in August 2019 and “as is my way” I have revised the poem for today’s article.



Knots On Blue Paper Lines

Eyelids are heavy and tired
Overcome by the dazzle of razzle
My palms are open but empty
Anxiously yearning to turn another page

This mind of mine feels worn and torn
Time is constantly tick-tocking away
Chiming between today and tomorrow
While the poet’s pen is scrawling
Knots on blue paper lines
Hanging them out, to dry and die

My arms are quietly fluttering
Searching for yesterday’s wings
As I meander through my journey
Pondering how much reality stings


“I think the lyrics of the ‘Airbourne Toxic Event’s’, song below, are profoundly outstanding and well worth reading as you listen to the tune.”




https://youtube.com/watch?v=Cvtd7kG_B8U%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent









All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) July 2024

Throwback Friday, Arriving and Leaving, Visiting Her

Featured Collage Above: the photos were taken by Derrick Knight, and kindly with his permission, he allows me to reproduce them here in collaboration with my poems. >> https://derrickjknight.com/2023/03/12/a-frantic-baaing/

Hi, dear readers and followers, the Book Launch of “Until Eyes Hear Sound” is next Wednesday, and today’s poem “Arriving and Leaving, Visiting Her” was selected by Robbie Cheadle as her favourite poem in her wonderful review of my book …
https://writingtoberead.com/2024/04/17/treasuring-poetry-meet-prolific-poet-ivor-steven-and-a-review-poetry-poetrycommunity-treasuringpoetry/
“My April Treasuring Poetry guest is the talented and prolific poet, Ivor Steven. Please enjoy his thoughts about poetry and some of his favourite poems.”



Arriving and Leaving, Visiting Her (page 102)

arriving
via the cemetery gate
holding her flowers
hands quivering
heart quickens
bowing silently
reminiscing
smiling
wondering why
closing time
and visiting time
co-exist in life

leaving
via the cemetery path
renewing goodbyes
crying silently
breathing slowly
smiling
wondering why
closing time
and visiting time
co-exist in life











Ivor Steven (c) July 2024

Throwback Friday, Invisible Miracles

Two weeks to go until the ‘launch party’ for my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, and today’s Throwback Friday poem is in Chapter 7, (Memories and Rhymes) page 95, of the Book, and I wrote the poem in January 2021.






Invisible Miracles



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




https://youtube.com/watch?v=HltxMawzfnw%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent









All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) July 2024

Throwback Friday, Birds in Flight

On my morning walkies with Frankie, I like trying to photograph birds in flight, and since my book launch for “Until Eyes Hear Sound” is only 3 weeks away, I thought I would repost my poem “Birds in Flight” (Chapter 1, page 14)





Birds in Flight


Our spirit birds sleep all night

Then emanate at first light

To resume their dedicated flights

Our watchtower sentinels of Mother Earth

Who sacredly ascend at first light

Forever in flight, since nature’s worldly birth









All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)


Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)


Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) July 2024

Throwback Friday, Two Haiku Written by Frankie

Frankie had his ‘Winter Groom’ this morning… and the two Haiku below were written by Frankie in April and June 2023. All the attached photos were taken during today’s grooming session.




My Haircut (a Haiku by ‘Frankie’, April 2023)

“I was too woolly”
That is what my master said
“Have you seen my coat?”









My Winter Haircut (a Haiku by Frankie, June 2023)

“Haircut time Frankie”
“Hey boss, it’s zero outside
Winter is still here”








All Books. Now Available At:

Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)

Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)

Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) June 2024