Featured Image Above: Created by Copilot and me.
A bell without a gong. A dove without a sky. A poem for uneasy times, paired with Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem.”
Ding Dong
Wondering –
Who’s right and what’s wrong?
Pondering –
Who’s weak and what’s strong?
Unearthing
Another Viet Cong,
Hearing the same old song.
Listening –
The peace bell has no gong.
Foreboding –
Where has the holy dove gone?
Wishing,
Hoping –
Forever too long.
Ivor Steven © January 2026
“As a poet, sometimes we confuse ourselves, Trying to create ashes, instead of fire ” – Leonard Cohen
Over at Weekly Prompts the November Colour Challenge is: Flame … Please click on >> Here to visit their fabulous site.
My poem below, is about whether or not anyone reads or takes any notice of the “flame” within a poet’s words.
“I set out one night
When the tide was low
There were signs in the sky
But I did not know
I’d be caught in the grip
Of the undertow” – Leonard Cohen, from his poem ‘Undertow’, taken out his book “The Flame”
Help or Hindrance
There the penguin squats
So slick and smug
Point blank
He questions me
“What are you doing?
Where are you going?
What are you trying to achieve?”
Why are you crying?
“I’m timeworn and unsure”
I blandly reply to Freddie
The fidgety fairy penguin
And despairingly, I gaze
Back at Freddie
Through my teary eyes
As I continue to wonder
Are my imaginary words
A help or hindrance
“Until Eyes Hear Sound” will be available in December
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) November 2023
I am not sure how to explain my inner feelings within my heart today. I know Dad and Mum would be proud of my achievements, and that my Dear Carole would be crying tears of “Liquid Joy” for me … I received the most wonderful news today … my books “Tullawalla and Perceptions” have been accepted by the Geelong Regional Library, and will soon be available on Library’s bookshelves. A big thank you to Kim, the Collection Support & Information Services Officer at the Geelong Library, for accepting my books.
When I began writing (scribbling) poetry 22 years ago, not long after my first stroke, Leonard Cohen’s music and poetic lyrics had a huge influence on the emotions behind my words, and probably his song I have attached below, “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong”, still evokes my heart every time I listen to the incredibly beautiful lyrics.
It’s Just A Little Dream (Tullawalla, page 113)
I’ve been waiting inside
For that never-never ride
Wishing for that little shrug
To turn into a dream-time hug
I’ve been waiting outside
Trying not to hide
Wishing for that little smile
To travel one more mile
I’ve been waiting all-day
Calling out, please stay
Wishing for that little heartbeat
To lay down at my feet
I’ve been waiting all-night
For that one-way flight
Wishing for that little dove
To glide down from above
I’ve been waiting, seems forever
Crying quietly, oh, whatever
Wishing for that little embrace
To sleep with me, face to face
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://www.amazon.com.au/Perceptions-Ivor-Steven/dp/1387487302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RD27PWFI9JPS&keywords=perceptions+by+ivor+steven&qid=1676894211&s=books&sprefix=Perceptions%2Cstripbooks%2C1174&sr=1-1
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/
OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) February 2023
I’m having technical problems try to submit my article to Coffee House Writers this evening, and I am getting frustrated .. so I decided to “Leave The Table” for a while, and found this poem that I wrote after a enjoyable night out, in November 2018, and I’m reposting it here on my site tonight …
Blue-stone Cellar (A Repost)
Old wooden steps
Going down, worn and steep
Revealing a cellar, candle-lit
Walls of blue-stone blocks
With a stained cedar ceiling
Creating a friendly aura of closeness
Intimate and cosy
A perfect place for Mr Cohen’s spirit to be
Sweet Amie Brulee
Sings and plays his songs
And in between, graciously reads his poetry
Jovially chats to the audience
Relaxed and carefree
Her demure smile is spontaneous
Divulging stories about his works
With enthusiasm and passion
Infusing her own subtle wit and humour
A show of genuine warmth and charm
From his tower of song, Leonard would be pleased
Ivor Steven (c) June 2022
“Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.” ― Leonard Cohen
Featured Image Above: taken from the lookout at the Moorabool Valley Chocolate Cafe, overling the emerald valley …
An Emerald Tapestry
I resumed living last decade
Narrowly surviving gravities finality
Now, I lean against my tower’s balustrade
That overlooks an emerald valley
Echoing from my castle’s balcony
I hear Leonard Cohen’s words about life’s pagentry
Outlining the spiritual tapestry
Of commonality, morality, and vitality
Ivor Steven (c) November 2021
Five years ago
On that day
I cried
I cannot forget
The death of a ladies man
When he found his, sisters of mercy
On this day, hallelujah
I now, fondly remember
By the rivers dark
In the land of plenty
Our, Field Commander Cohen
Singing from above, in his, Tower of Song
Attached Videos Below are in order of appearence in “Italic song titles“ in my poem above.
On That Day
I Cannot Forget
Death of a Ladies Man
Sisters of Mercy
Hallelujah
By The Rivers Dark
In The Land Of Plenty
Field Commander Cohen
Tower Of Song
Ivor Steven (c) November “7th” 2021
Today’s poem, is a piece I originally wrote in June 2017, and the words were influenced by Leonard Cohen’s song, “Show Me The Place”, and this being the 5rd anniversary of his passing, I thought it an appropriated day to re-post my poem. I’ve revised the poem a couple of times, the original title was “Violin Strings”, but overall, the meaning of my words have stayed intact.. The Featured Image above, is scanned copy from, “The Wordless Songbook”, Leonard Cohen, by George A. Walker, book cover print, (A book, in my personal library)
Strings
I’m singing a song, about you
Singing words, both wistful and true
From my heart to my soul, the veins
They’re as tight as violin strings
I needed you, to take my hand
Take my hand and show me the way
Show me the way, to a formal debut
Show me the way, into your dancing shoes
I needed you, to take my dreams
Take my dreams and show me how to behave
Show me the way, to your family home
Show me how to drink, from your holy grail
I needed you, to take my open heart
Take my heart and show me how to pray
Show me the way, into your world
Show me how to fly, in your milky way
I needed you, to write some heavenly notes
Take my violin and show me how to play
Show me the way, to your harp’s wings
Show me the way, into your heartstrings
Ivor Steven (c) November “7th” 2021
My tribute post for Leonard Cohen, up at “Go Dog Go Cafe”
This Sunday 7th of November, will be the fifth anniversay of Leonard Cohen’s passing. On that day 2016, I wrote this poem “Home”, as my little tribute to the man who was my personal muse and mentor for over fifty years. Back then my words were inspired by his song, “Show Me The Place” … and now I have to add “Thank You For Dance” Leonard Cohen …
Home
Take me to my home
Home is where my heart is
Home is on that windy hill
Home is a secret valley
Home is a heavenly cloud
Take me to my home
I’m waiting here all alone
I’m packed ready to go
I’m departing this old place
I’m leaving this world behind
Take me to my home
I know the beyond will be greener
I know you’ll there
I know you’ve been waiting
I know you’ll hold me again
Hold me…
View original post 115 more words
This poem “Burnt By the Cross” is in my book “Tullawalla”
If you wish to purchase a copy of my book “Tullawalla”, the links below will help ..
Tullawalla by Ivor Steven, Kerri Costello, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
And also Available at Amazon (Paperback), especially for those living in Australia, with an Amazon.au account, postage is at local rates rates ..
Tullawalla : Steven, Ivor, Harris, patricia, Costello, Kerri: Amazon.com.au: Books
Burnt at The Cross
Oh, Children
I’m deeply saddened
Your innocence lost
Burnt by the cross
You’re not to blame
For this baptism of shame
By the priest’s dirty games
Filthy rapists by any other name
Piously veiled by higher Cloth
The Lord’s words, written off
Hidden up darkened sleeves
I cannot see, I no longer believe
On a prayer and a song
The church is doing wrong
Ivor Steven (c) August 2021
Tonight, I Hear A Light
From his tower of song
The teacher heralds his story
Thought provoking and foreboding
His words, are wise and profound
Almost a lullaby to your inner child
Or shaking your soul, almost to death
Recognising the ancient past
Honouring a vaccinated future
In a world that has been torn
His personal eulogy, is solemn but not forlorn
My heart will keep living the romance
Thank you for the dance
“It’s Torn” Lyrics, by Leonard Cohen
I see you in windows that open so wide
There’s nothing beyond them and no one inside
You kick off your sandals and shake out your hair
The salt on your shoulders like sparks in the air
There’s silt on your ankles and sand on your feet
The river too shallow, the ocean too deep
You smile at your suffering, the sweetest reprieve
Why did you leave us, why did you leave
You kick off your sandals and shake out your hair
It’s torn where you’re dancing, it’s torn everywhere
It’s torn on the right and it’s torn on the left
It’s torn in the centre which few can accept
It’s torn where there’s beauty, it’s torn where there’s death
It’s torn where there’s mercy but torn somewhat less
It’s torn in the highest from kingdom to crown
The messages fly but the network is down
Bruised at the shoulder and cut at the wrist
The sea rushes home to its thimble of mist
The opposites falter, the spirals reverse
And Eve must re-enter the sleep of her birth
And up through the system the worlds are withdrawn
From every dominion the mind stood upon
And now that it’s over and now that it’s done
The name has no number, not even the one
Come gather the pieces all scattered and lost
The lie in what’s holy, the light in what’s not
The story’s been written the letter’s been sealed
You gave me a lily but now it’s a field
You kick off your sandals and shake out your hair
It’s torn where you’re dancing, it’s torn everywhere
Ivor Steven (c) Nov 2019
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 