After times of sorrow
Hope lives on,
in tomorrow
So sings,
my little sparrow
All my mountains
have been climbed
All my climbs
had their falls and failures
Then ultimately
I tried to reach my goal
“Except that the goal
Falls short of the reach” … Leonard Cohen, from his song ‘The Goal’
Ivor Steven © May 2022
Above
I see a withered desk
Hovering over a lake
Of torn white caps
Like shredded foam
On blue-lined papers
Below
I see a submerged floor
Drowning in clusters
Of broken dreams
Like abandoned shoes
On white-washed beaches
Ivor Steven (c) May 2022
Hello readers and followers, the poem I am reposting today is an ”Alphabet” poem that I wrote in April 2019, two days before I left to fly to NewYork, on my way to visiting my Philadelphia cousins, who I had never met, and of course I was also to meet my favourite niece and penpal “Kerri” for the “First” time … So, I thought I would try to write my “First” every Alphabet Poem, to celebrate my “First” every trip to New York and Philadelphia …
Hot Cross Buns and Chocolates
America, here I come, ready or not
Beyond my bed-zoned borders
Chasing those forgotten horizons
Dreams are finally blossoming
Easter treats are tucked in my pockets
Fancy editions of my poems, are packed in the case
Giant airports and planes abound
Hot cross buns, and more chocolates are eaten
Inspiring my week’s holiday mood
Jet engines soaring aloft
Kidnapping me by default
Lawyers left floundering
My medical records lost in transit
Naughty nightingales, again covering for me
Opening my doorways, to the promised land
Passing high above the melody, at heaven’s archway
Quarantine played, Leonard’s Tower Of Song
Rumblings, I hear from a distant Bensalem yard
Spiritual chants, from my family circle
Telepathic messages, humming on a magic carpet ride
Unbroken my promise, now to be honoured
Vikings and villains to be avoided
Weapons disguised, under the statues torch of liberty
Xylophones I hear, playing on the streets of New York
Young ladies are dancing to my tune, Hallelujah
Zero-ground, salutes me there, staying upside down
Ivor Steven (c) May 2022
The Ekphrastic poetry workshop I attended on Wednesday was an inspiring event, and here I have written a tanka about a clay figurine as depicted in my Featured Image above.
Worldly Smirk (a Tanka)
I do not know you
But your glassy eyes know me
Why that worldly smirk
I have a million questions
Do you have all the answers
Ivor Steven (c) May 2022
Sorry reader and followers for my lack of blogging today (and tomorrow) … The old poet traded his quill in this morning (and again tomorrow), for his old rusty spanner and diirty hammer ..
Back On The Tools. (adapted from “An Old-time Plumber”)
Could I actually do the task?
Am I physically strong enough?
Am I mentally sharp and stable enough?
To endure two days of hard work?
Surprise, surprise, I survived day one
Job nearly completed and clients suitably pleased
And I am home enjoying a red wine
Although when I finished it was almost dark
And my back was stiff as red-gum bark
But a job stamped by my old-time quality trademark
I sit in silence
Tired, but calmly self-assured
Nestled and settled
Ivor Steven (c) May 2022
Horses, Lizards, and Hummingbird Cake
Dreaming
With eyes wide open
I rejoice
Beyond, earth, sky,
Moon, sun, and stars
Here today
With eyes open wider
I rejoice
In my surroundings
Dogs, horses,
Lizards, and birds
With eyes smiling
I rejoice
In life’s foolish moments
Chocolates, coffee,
And a hummingbird cake
Ivor Steven (c) May 4th 2022
Hello dear readers and followers, as you may know, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “Life is a Bowl of Fudge”, is in this weeks edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. … please click on the link below to read my poem, at Coffee House Writers >> https://coffeehousewriters.com/life-is-a-bowl-of-fudge/
Ivor Steven (c) May 3rd 2022
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 