


Lullaby Rhyme
Once upon a time
There was a mum called Esther
In my heart
There was no one better
And now her soul
Sings me a lullaby rhyme
Ivor Steven (c) May 2025



Lullaby Rhyme
Once upon a time
There was a mum called Esther
In my heart
There was no one better
And now her soul
Sings me a lullaby rhyme
Ivor Steven (c) May 2025
“This wall, built of bricks
Breaks my spirit and my bones
Life’s hurdles are hard” … This Wall (a Senryu May 3rd, 2025)
Arriving and Leaving, Visiting Her
arriving
via the cemetery gate
holding her flowers
hands quivering
heart quickens
bowing silently
reminiscing
smiling
wondering why
closing time
and visiting time
co-exist in life
leaving
via the cemetery path
renewing goodbyes
crying silently
breathing slowly
smiling
wondering why
closing time
and visiting time
co-exist in life
Ivor Steven (c) May 3rd, 2025
Thanks For the Dance, or My Foot Went Numb (a Rhyming Tu-aiku)
My fingers are thumbs
I cannot pick up the crumbs
Nor pluck the ripe plums
My right foot went numb
Her eternal dance did come
Life is a hum-drum
Ivor Steven (c) May 3rd, 2025
A special poem I wrote, after I’d taken my Lady to the hospital for the last time, on the day of her 65th birthday, thirteen years ago.
Hello Carole, time goes by, and my heart has not moved …
Under The Snow
We emanate to a birthday.
We deflate to a final day.
Birthdays, they all come, they all go.
Birthdays, in the sunshine, under the snow.
Birthdays, slow to mature, quickly an eon.
Birthdays, before we are born, after we are gone.
Birthdays, hanging on by a breath.
Birthdays, nailed to a cross ’til death.
What does it all mean to be alive and cry?
What does it all mean to live and to die?
Ivor Steven © April 2025


Happy Birthday Carole
Melting My Heart (a Tanka)
The white fluffy clouds
Cannot stop the Autumn sun
From melting my heart
Around her bygone birthdays
Alas, the years keep passing
Ivor Steven (c) April 17th 2025


Remembering “My Women”, my dear wife, Carole, and my amazing mother, Esther …
Thank you, Bella, for encouraging me to post this poem today …
>> https://thoughtsnlifeblog.com/2025/03/07/an-ode-to-women-in-honour-of-internation-womens-day/
My Women
After I had left the hem
Without women
I could not have survived my time
I would not have braved the climb
Ladies, you are my rhyme
My mother’s of thyme
Helping me roll away the stone
Maintaining these old bones
Repairing the bridges, I have burnt
Reciting the messages, I have learnt
Cheering from the sidelines
Supporting my broken designs
Women of My Rhymes
Mothers for a lifetime
Ivor Steven (c) March 2025
During early February, my stunning Day Lily begins to bloom, which nostalgically coincides with my father’s birthday week. A potted perennial that I rescued from my dear departed parent’s homestead. The lilies always grace my garden in February as nature’s tribute to Dad, and today’s revised poem was originally written in February 2017, when me and Dad’s day lily moved into my villa, “Shangri La” …



Day Lily and Love (Revised)
Upon my pillow, I sleep
Good morning, I do peek
From the cushion of my dreams
To my garden’s awakening beams
Blushing red hues, oh so bright
You bloom during the night
And after cuddling the dew
You open up your scenic view
Flowering, standing proud, and steep
Perfection at my feet
A glorious Lily, like the wings of a dove
And by sunlight, you air your love

.

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) 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





Beyond Time
Behind the dark side
Out of harm’s way
The moon glows enduringly
Beyond the light
Out of harm’s way
Her star shines eternally
Beyond time
Out of harm’s way
True love never dies


All Books. Now Available At:
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Shop 15/Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
TRADING HOURS
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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