Behind the Mourning Clouds
From behind the mourning clouds
The ancient moon peers down
Wearing a judge’s yellow crown
The moon knowingly frowns
Upon the maddening crowd
Congregating on opposite bluffs
Of the ever-widening Gulf
Between diamond cuffs and shoeshine buffs
The moon then proudly dons
The unworn sacred shroud
And judiciously ordains
“This is your final countdown”
Ivor Steven (c) February 2025
Alex Steven (Dad), February 5th 1924 – July 3rd 2015
Under a Clear Blue Sky, I’m Thinking of You
(Happy Birthday Dad)
One hundred and one years ago
When the summer sun
Arose for you
Did the afternoon moon?
Shine on you too
Ivor Steven (c) February 5th 2025
Hello, dear readers and followers. I write for Coffee House Writers magazine (USA) fortnightly, and my poem “Wandering In My Universe” is in this week’s edition. …
To Read my poem, please click on the link below to visit the article, at Coffee House Writers Magazine.
>> https://coffeehousewriters.com/wandering-in-my-universe/
Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) December 2024
In December, my poem, “Invincible Pieces” will be published in a strikingly noteworthy way at the Creative Geelong Makers Hub. An exquisite sign was expertly painted on the front glass door of The Third Space Gallery, 132 Little Malop St, Centrepoint Arcade, Geelong.
… My poem is part of the “Damaged” Display, which includes “15″ artists’ interpretations of a broken ginger jar, over various disciplines. “bringing new life and finding beauty in the damaged and discarded”…
My Poem, “Invincible Pieces”
All Books. Now Available At:
Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm
Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) December 2024
Thanks to Mad Missy, of MAD – Works blog site (https://mad-missy-work.blog/2024/11/23/embracing-the-struggle/).
I wrote a poetic response to her thoughtful poem, “Embracing the Struggle”, which I later edited to create my poem ‘Thoughts Winnow Into Words’
Thoughts Winnow Into Words
Words waver and wander around
In the weighty shadows of the whispering moon
And we warily wonder why
But there’s no need to worry
Thoughts winnow into words
When wistful eyes hear sound
All Books. Now Available At:
Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm
Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) November 2024
** Please note: The featured image above was copied, with permission from Niki Flow’s; >> blog site. https://under1000skies.org/
Today’s Throwback poem is from July 2019, six months after my third stroke, and stroke fatigue was still occurring regularly. Today, I’m feeling quite fatigued, but it has more to do with my hectic schedule lately …
An Empty Shell
I’m a broken stick
Hit by a tonne of bricks
I’ve stroke fatigue
Tiredness out of my league
The psyche says go
My body says no
Yesterday everything was fine
Today nothing is mine
Only rest and sleep
Not even a sneaky peep
They say, what’s wrong
I say, who’s playing my song
They say, you look ok
I say, I cannot stay
Read us your poem
No! I want to go home
Don’t spoil the show
I’m an empty shell, they do not know
All Books. Now Available At:
Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm
Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) November 2024
The Featured Image Above was taken by Jackie Knight, Derrick’s wife, and I have cropped it to fit the ‘Feature Image size’.
Over at Weekly Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is the word: Eerie … You may visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here.
“Time is eerie, time is blind, and time takes no commands.”
Time is Blind (a Senryu)
A black clock stands guard
Atop a Town Square bollard
Time sees no graveyard
Ivor Steven (c) October 2024
In December, my poem/verse, ‘Invincible Pieces’, will appear at the “Creative Geelong Makers Hub” in the front window gallery (Third Space) on Little Malop St. 132 Centrepoint Arcade. Geelong
The display will include “15″ artists’ interpretations of the broken jar, over various disciplines, “bringing new life and finding beauty in the damaged and discarded”…
Invincible Pieces
I, a broken ginger jar
I, have been damaged and mismanaged
I, am repairable and valuable
All Books. Now Available At:
Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm
Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) September 2024
This morning I attended the Dome Poetry Group’s monthly meeting, and the theme/topic was to present a “Haibun”.
‘Falling’, is the Haibun I wrote for the group to peruse.
Haibun Definition: In a haibun, the prose section provides a descriptive narrative or a personal essay-like passage, while the haiku serves as a brief, poetic moment or reflection that complements the prose. The prose typically describes a scene, a journey, an experience, or a memory in a concise and vivid manner, often incorporating sensory details and emotional insights.
Falling (a Haibun)
On this day 24 years ago. I abruptly awoke. I was struggling to breathe, and my right arm and leg felt strange. I did not know I was having a stroke. I struggled and fell out of bed. My tumble woke my wife, Carole, and I could see the anguish or fear in her eyes. Somehow, I was able to ring “000“, and slur enough information for them to locate me. Fortunately, the ambulance guys knew of Carole’s condition and promptly organized the appropriate health agencies to have her minded and cared for.
Falling (the Haiku)
I stumbled
She cried … don’t fall
Love hurts
All Books. Now Available At:
Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm
Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) September 2024
It was “our”48th Anniversary on the 10th of September, and my Throwback poem was written when I was recovering from 2nd and 3rd strokes, and of course, during that time I was not allowed to drive …
Whispering Flowers (Tullawalla, page 41)
Whispering Flowers
I went shopping this morning
To buy her flowers
For our anniversary day
A bus trip to the local florist
Then I boarded another bus to the cemetery
My first time on a bus carrying flowers
Bouquet in hand, on I hopped
You could’ve heard a pin drop
Over the silence, I heard solemn whispers
The men on the bus, courteously nodded
And the ladies knowingly smiled
Gratified, I dipped my cap in acknowledgement
Then I started to sense the day’s emotions arise
And with my honesty glowing, I felt proudly special
All Books. Now Available At:
Creative Geelong MAY’D Shop,
Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
Thursday-Saturday
11am-3pm
Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)
Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)
Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) September 2024
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 