Frankie the Salesman


“Frankie the Salesman, master of the lucky-dip and poetry protocol. Cavalier by nature, befriending by heart.”



Frankie the Salesman

Here we are, under the glass-roofed part
Of the covered Centrepoint Arcade.
The spring sun is decorating our book stall,
And my salesman is in charge of poetry protocol.

The ‘Take a Poem Home Lucky-dip’ is again very popular
My furry assistant has been willingly jocular,
And appropriately, befriendingly cavalier.







Ivor Steven (c) November 2025

Creative Geelong Market Day, This Saturday, November 15th

It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month.
* They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more.
* There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, HBT Collectables, and the May’d Shop. 

All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm

And I’ll be there with ‘Frankie’ and my “New Bookstall Set-up”







Ivor Steven (c) November 2025

Creative Geelong Market Day, This Saturday, October 18th

It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month.
* They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more.
* There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, HBT Collectables, and the May’d Shop. 

All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm

And I’ll be there with ‘Frankie’ and my “New Bookstall Set-up”









Ivor Steven (c) October 2025

Creative Geelong Market Day, This Saturday, August 16th

It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month.
* They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more.
* There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, HBT Collectables, and the May’d Shop. 

All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm

And I’ll be there with ‘Frankie’ and my “New Bookstall Set-up”








Ivor Steven (c) August 2025

Creative Geelong Market Day, This Saturday, July 19th

It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
* Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month.
* They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more.
* There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, HBT Collectables, and the May’d Shop. 

All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm

And I’ll be there with ‘Frankie’ and my “New Bookstall Set-up”






Ivor Steven (c) July 2025


A Pretty Poet Fairy


Above, the pretty poet fairy and my neighbouring stallholder, Meagan





A Pretty Poet Fairy

We all believe in the magical world of fairies
And we all know about
The mischievous toadstool fairies
And the benevolent tooth fairies
Naiads and Nymphs are nature’s
Wondrous water-bound fairies
And I personally chat to the Dryads
Our wise and protective tree fairies

Today, at the Makers Market
I was lucky enough
To meet a pretty poet fairy
She was curiously fascinated
By my yellow ‘Lucky-dip’ bucket
“Dig deep, and take a poem home”

“May I?” she politely asked
“You are more than welcome”
She gently grabbed a lucky envelope
and sweetly grinned
“May I take one for my sister”
“Yes, of course”
“Oh, I have a little sister too!
Amused, I said, “No worries”
“And my dad likes poetry too!”
“That’s lovely, you must have a wonderful dad”
Her enchanting smile made my day






Ivor Steven (c) June 2025

Creative Geelong Market Day, This Saturday, June 21st

It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
* Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month.
* They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more.
* There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, HBT Collectables, and the May’d Shop. 

All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm

And I’ll be there with my “New Bookstall Set-up”






Ivor Steven (c) June 2025

An Inside Job

At Creative Geelong Makers Hub on Saturday, there was a rare opportunity when all the artists’ shops and studios were open on the same day.


Inside the MAY’D Shop.


The House, a community artistic centre and creative workshop.


The Hot House, the Hair Stylist’s Salon, and his Art Studio.


The Collectables Shop.


Vicky, who specializes in doggie portraits.


Joanne’s, Eco Artland, and Isobel and Sue’s Art Studios.


Wishart Creative and Untether Gallery





An Inside Job

I’m on the inside, looking out
North or south means nout
In here, there are no louts
Nor any sign of the drought

I’m doing a native walkabout
From shop to shop, lights on, or out
There is nothing to doubt or flout
Pins and needles, nails and clouts
Paint brushes and ceramic grout
Statues and clay waterspouts
Colourful cards and canvases throughout
A hairstylist, who paints during his timeout

I’m on a wondrous whirlabout
Trekking the Makers Hub route
Like a curious Boy Scout





Ivor Steven (c) June 2025

MAY’D May Market

Creative Geelong had their annual “MAY’D May Market Festival” on the weekend. The weather was kind, and the event was a wonderful success for the stallholders and the enthusiastic crowd.


My poetry book stall.


Stallholders were also outside the Arcade, on Little Malop Street.


Live music and a coffee shop (next to my stall)


And various other forms of entertainment





Ivor Steven (c) June 2025