Leonard Cohen – Ivor.Plumber/Poet

Through the Widening Crack

“There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” … Leonard Cohen

“The sky cracked open for a heartbeat, and the light played its own soft melody.”

Through the Widening Crack

Twilight’s canopy of clouds
eclipses the evening sky
with an embracing violet shroud.

However, the squinting sunlight
was silently trying to wave goodbye
through the widening crack
above the sun’s transient eye.

And there on nature’s colourful curtain,
I saw columns of light
ascend the nebulous mountain;
then I wondered
whether I was witnessing the world’s
grand celestial pipe organ
playing a lullaby to the purple night

Ivor Steven © April 2026

Ding Dong

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

Help or Hindrance

“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/

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) November 2023

When I Began, “It Was Just a Little Dream”

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/

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 2023

Blue-stone Cellar (A Repost)

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

An Emerald Tapestry

“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

A Singer Must Die

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

Strings

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

Throwback Friday, Home, by Ivor Steven

My tribute post for Leonard Cohen, up at “Go Dog Go Cafe”

Go Dog Go Café

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

Throwback Friday, Burnt By the Cross, by Ivor Steven

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