“Tock-tick, or “47 is 74”

Apologies to my followers and readers for not blogging much this weekend. Sorry, it has been a hectic weekend for me and I have run out of “Time” … Market Day, Saturday, and my Dome Poetry meeting on Sunday … I’ll have no breath left to blow out the candles!!

Over at Weekly Prompts, the Weekend Challenge is Back-to-Front. To visit their fabulous site, please click HERE


“Tock-tick”, or “47 is 74”


I am seventy-four today
And as I am growing older
I am hearing time ticking
Back-to-front
Sounding more like “tock-tick”
Instead of a steady “tick-tock”

Once upon a time
For every moment
There was a second
Now, in one moment
There are two seconds!
And the old hands
On my rusty sundial
Cannot find time’s
Elusive shadow

Alas, I have searched
Inside out and upside down
For the key to time’s
New age design
“A backless clock
Without any front”






Ivor Steven (c) July 20th, 2025

A Day of Celebrations

My Birthday today (73rd) was a day of celebrations.
* On our morning walkies, we were gifted a beautiful rainbow
* In the afternoon I had the pleasure of attending my Football Club’s (Bell Park) 40th anniversary/reunion of the club’s 1st Senior Premiership in 1984
* Being a close-knit club, everyone knew it was my birthday, so the reunion celebrations were double the fun for me.
* It was well after sunset when I finally arrived back home, and Frankie was happy to receive his dinner, albeit a few hours later than normal …

A morning rainbow for my Birthday (73) … Frankie giving me the stare because he has to stay home.

Me with Jimmy, my Under 18’s coach (1969) and the club President in 1984 when we won our First Senior Premiership. (He’ll be 90 in December)

The 1984 Committee (I was the Social Coordinator), and the 1984 Team Photos

This year’s coach addressed the reunion crowd, and me with some lifelong club friends




Ivor Steven (c) July 20th 2024

Melting My Heart (a Tanka)

Happy Birthday Carole





Melting My Heart (a Tanka)


The white fluffy clouds 

Cannot stop the Autumn sun

From melting my heart

Around her bygone birthdays

Alas, the years keep passing







Until Eyes Hear Soundis NOW Available From,

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Tullawalla is Available From

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Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com

Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’

AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:

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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 2024

About Today

“Do not try to live forever, you will not succeed.” George Bernard Shaw


About Today


They say ‘seventy-two’

Is the optimum room temperature

Today, I reached that ideal peak


I am not feeling older or any bolder

But my bones are weaker and colder

And heavy headstones have scored my shoulders


One day, time will have the final say

And while my eyes hear sound

I shall continue to write about today







Ivor Steven (c) July 2023

Hello Mate

“When your father’s name is etched in stone It is never as indelible As the etching in your heart” … Colleen Brown





Hello Mate


Happy birthday mate

No, I’m not late

I would have got that stare otherwise

No, never a cross word from your eyes

Everyday, the gentle guy

Yes dad, you were our sunrise

Kindness, compassion, a heart oversized

Yes dad, always by our sides

Everyday, you earned a Nobel prize

Yes dad, always love in your eyes




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:

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) February 5th 2023


Salvation Sunday (a Birthday poem for Kylie)

My Faerie writing book and the words I was penciling today



Salvation Sunday (a Birthday poem for Kylie)


A lazy Sunday afternoon

We are both resting

Frankie is napping/snoring

As usual he lets me share the bed


I am penciling these words

Into my Faerie writing book

A well used birthday gift

From my adorable niece Kerri

She lives in Philadelphia

Here I am in Geelong

We are worlds apart

But joined at the heart


We were chatting earlier

The time difference still confuses me

Yesterday was her niece’s birthday

Kylie is now fourteen

Wow, time flies, she was only ten

When I last saw her


Happy birthday dear Kylie

I miss your gorgeous smile

Hey! I miss all you guys

Cheers from uncle Ivor

Hugs and kisses to everyone

Over there in Philadelphia






Ivor Steven (c) September 2022

Seventy-one Today

I went to a friend’s funeral yesterday afternoon, he was Seventy-one too, and a few weeks ago I went to see him in hospital after he had suffered a bad stroke … He was home alone, and they found him on the floor 3 days after he had the stroke … We went to school together 55 years ago … Last night I was sad and alone with my furry friend Frankie … Today is my 71st birthday, and I am emotionally appreciating life, after suffering 3 strokes of my own in recent times …
Attacked below is a new song by Loner Deer, ‘Leather Hat’ and his lyrics, seem to capture the feelings of my mood and thoughts today.


Loner Deer. ‘Leather Hat’, Lyrics

Today, no one came in my team
But I don’t wanna be the one
Who got no friends, no buddies in the house
But it’s not a big deal ’cause I never be alone
Under my Leather Hat, under my leather hat

This morning I want to play, but Momma said “no”
I have to clean my room but I just wanna be outside
Hang out with my friends, but I don’t have many plans
So, I’m just waiting in my bed and looking on the wall
At my leather hat, at my leather hat
Give me trust and give me wings, I guess some people want it
But I ain’t looking for the fame, I don’t forget where I come from

When Grandpa drives me through the fields
He tells me what I have to think about
That no one tells me what to do
I’m rich, I’m strong, I’m feeling good
Under my leather hat, under my leather hat

Give me trust and give me wings, I guess some people want it
But I ain’t looking for the fame, I don’t forget where I come from

Today, no one came in my team
But I don’t wanna be the one
Who got no friends, no buddies in the house
But it’s not a big deal ’cause I never be alone
Under my Leather Hat, under my leather hat






Ivor Steven (c) July 2022