At ‘The Dunes’ cafe/restaurant, Ocean Grove, near Mum and Dad’s old family home, “Tullawalla”.
Centenarians
Today
We had a family remembrance party
For our dear departed parents
They were both born in 1924
One hundred years ago!
Today
We gathered to celebrate
Their love and loyalty for each other
And to proudly honour
The love and incredible support
We all unconditionally received
Ivor Steven (c) May 2024
Today’s Throwback poem was written before I started my website, and is from June 2012, not long after Carole had passed (12 years ago today). For unexplainable reasons, the nostalgic piece has not found its way into any of my “3 books”. Maybe this unheralded poem will catalyze me to begin a 4th book!
Where’s That Dream
I have seen the universe through to the stars beyond
There is a deep darkness, she is gone, she is gone
I saw her smile crack from the pain
There was a sorrow, she caught it tomorrow
I have seen the moon through the burning sun
Where is that planet she is walking on?
I saw her eyes crying tears of sand
Where is that beach she is lying on?
I have seen the ocean through the broken coral
Where is that ship, she is sailing on?
I saw her body serene and frail
Where are the ashes she is covered in?
I have seen the earth open, swallowing the multitude whole
Where is that chasm she is falling through?
I saw her gentle soul disappear out of sight
Where is that secret haven she is flying to?
I have seen the land go through violent storms
Where are the winds of time she is spread upon?
I saw her heart, her love, for all of you and me
Where is that dream, she has left us to find?
Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,
Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound
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) May 3rd 2024
She’s A Rainbow
Today, I saw rainbows everywhere
On my poetry booklet
In my empty coffee cup
And my grey clouds
Donned rainbows too!
Thank you, my love
For thoughtfully
Brightening this day
With your ever-lasting smile
Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,
Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound
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) May 2024
Finding Her Universe
(a Double Tanka)
In the direction
Of heading home, I found North
Then veered to the East
Looking for the setting Sun
There, I told the Horizon
“I have lost my way
flying through your golden day”
“You’re not lost, my friend,
fly toward my brightest point
and her universe is yours”
Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,
Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound
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) May 2024
Dedicated to my dear wife, to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday the 17th of April. I think my words say enough … I’m proud and honoured to present this Haiku as my “Throwback Friday” post today. Twelve years have passed and I’m quite emotional this week, and I apologise to fellow writers, and readers for not blogging and commenting with my usual zest.
Our River (a Haiku, Revised)
True love ebbs and flows
Hidden rocks etched our river
Stones soften to sand
Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,
Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound
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) April 2024
A special poem I wrote, after I’d taken my Lady to hospital for the last time, on the day of her 65th birthday, twelve years ago. Hello Carole, time goes by and my hands have 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?
Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,
Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound
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) April 2024
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
Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,
Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound
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) April 2024
Timeless white headstones
Guarding the ground of old souls
Loved ones’ final home
“Headstones”, Lyrics, Lake Of Tears
Past the forest of the flies of fire
Beyond the waters of shimmering tears
By a fire they stand
And they whisper my name
Now I seek upon the night
Small fragments of moonlight
Up the hill the headstones lie
Up the hill the reapers watching eye
Up the hill the headstones lie
Headstones…
In the circle of stones dressed in ivy
By the garden of the serene flowers
And the spirits are there
Whispering my name
Now I seek upon the night
Small fragments of moonlight
Up the hill the headstones lie
Up the hill the reapers watching eye
Up the hill the headstones lie
Headstones…
Ivor Steven (c) March 2024
I wrote “Beyond Imagination” 5 years ago, while I was in rehab, recovering from my 3rd stroke, and somehow preparing my body for a long and arduous trip to Philadelphia. The attached poem below, “Dreams of the Heart” is a piece I wrote in Philadelphia, in May 2019.
Beyond Imagination (Revised)
This year (2019), after Easter
I’m flying north
Across the Pacific Ocean
Towards a place called America
From the west to the east coast
Landing at the Big Apple
To enjoy a five-day tourist bite
Then a train from Grand Central Station
For a debut meeting with my cousins in Philadelphia
My Dad’s far-away relatives
I shall rejoice in the reunion of our family’s spirits
Oh yes, my lifetime “Dream of the Heart” **
A dubious occurrence just two months ago
But now a reality beyond the realms of my imagination
** “Dreams of the Heart”
I cannot walk the continents
Like the intrepid Marco Polo
But my feet have felt the sands of time
Pass between my toes
I have not sailed the high seas
Like the courageous Christopher Columbus
But my body has bathed
In an ocean full of kind hearts
I’m yet to fly in space
Like the brave Neil Armstrong
But I have reached for the stars
And touched my soul’s dreams
Ivor Steven (c) February 2024
Hello dear readers and followers, I am now writing for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “A Mirror Image of You”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. …
To Read my poem, please click on the link below to visit the article, at Coffee House Writers Magazine.
>> A Mirror Image Of You – Coffee House Writers
Ivor Steven (c) December 2023
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 