Music – Page 117 – Ivor.Plumber/Poet

Hear The Thunder

I came across this poem of mine today, a piece I wrote back in January 2019, while I was in hospital recovering from my 2nd stroke … maybe my dreams and visions were at bit blurred … but maybe they weren’t …

Hear The Thunder

My tired voice is crying out, “there’s no time to wait !!”

The people are pleading fromwithin their breastplates

We need to hear the thunder of peace bells ringing

Ringing to the crescendo of peace doves singing

The chimes are loud and clear

Loud enough for the universe to hear

Even through white marble walls

You’ll hear the thunder of the peace bells fall

We are gathering in every backyard

Every church hall

Every city street

Every farmers paddock

Every heavenly peace dove is escaping

You will see the doves flying high above

Even through the towers of tinted glass

You’ll see the peace doves soar

Even through their white marble walls

They’ll hear the thunder of the peace bells fall

Even through their towers of tinted glass

They’ll hear the crescendo of the peace doves call

Hear the thunder of peace bells ringing

Hear the crescendo of peace doves singing

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

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/

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

Birds on Fences, is in This Weeks Coffee House Writers Magazine

Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “Birds on Fences”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. … please click on the link below to view my poem, at Coffee House Writers. >> https://coffeehousewriters.com/birds-on-fences/

Birds have commandeered my poetic imagination lately.

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

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

A Sapphire Blue Canopy

At Weekly Prompts, the Weekend Challenge is the word: Treasure. Please go over and visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here . Below, my poem “A Sapphire Blue Canopy”, is about the ‘treasure’ of our morning sky.

A Sapphire Blue Canopy

Above the shimmering horizon

Daylight’s glow resolutely grows

Like a rising ocean tide

Strutting over hot sand

The sunrise swaggers

Up through the clouds

Vividly vapourizing

Their hypnotic silver linings

And progressively exposes the sky’s

Sapphire blue canopy

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:

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

Schoolyards and Lizards, is up at Spillwords Magazine.

I am ecstatic that my poem “Schoolyards and Lizards”, has been accepted and published in Spillwords Magazine today, and I am very grateful to the editor Dagmara for selecting my piece … Please go over and visit my poem at Spillwords and if you wish, leave a 💓 for my article, by clicking on this link >> https://spillwords.com/schoolyards-and-lizards/

Featured Image Above: Spillwords Magazine – 1536×813

My photo of, “Richard the Lizard, a wise and withered Wizard”

Schoolyards and Lizards

Enter Richard the lizard

A wise and withered wizard

Who stealthily slithered and delivered

His magic beyond pandemics and blizzards

Recreating a safe haven

An unsmeared and inured schoolyard

To be shared by the children

Without the National Guard

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:

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

Throwback Friday, The Oven Sky, by Ivor Steven

Copied from my article on “Go Dog Go Cafe” today >> https://godoggocafe.com/2023/02/17/throwback-friday-the-oven-sky-by-ivor-steven/

It’s a hot 103’F here in Geelong this afternoon, so appropriately my Throwback Friday poem “The Oven Sky”, from February 2019, is my repost for today.

The Oven Sky

The summer flowers have faded and gone

Wilting leaves, look like the devils blight

My Calendar declares Autumn is almost here

But it’s still summer in the city

Remaining hot and dusty, here on my plot

All the dogs are panting, searching for a cool block

Singed birds have refused to fly in the oven sky

Today’s furnace, is the night’s unwanted heater

Dry rot is crumbling, under the burning sun

Fat rain drops have forgotten their landing spots

And the drought smiles at us with disdain

As we gasp and forlornly wait for a cool change

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:

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 2019

I’m a Walrus (a Tanka)

I am not insane

I have lost myself in pain

I know I’ts not time

I have the will to survive

I’m a walrus goo goo g’joob

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:

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

A Fractured Birdbath

My back pain has been reasonably under control for 6 months, mainly due to my daily exercise routine and the two weekly visits to the Community Rehab Centre, but disappointingly I am again suffering from extreme back pain … I know I need to rest up for a few days and also keep my exercise program going, and hopefully I will be sufficiently good enough to be back to my wobbly best soon … so my time at the computer desk will be restricted and I will only do what is comfortable for me …

Featured Image Above: a photo my sister sent me this afternoon of her garden’s birdbath …

A Fractured Birdbath

I have been staggering

Sometimes stumbling

Beneath the hard rain

but I see no soft puddles

on my cobblestone path

My empty matchbox raft

Is snagged in my tubs gurgling drain

And out in the yard’s fractured birdbath

only charred snow flakes

and a dry feather-sponge remain

to soothe my back pain

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:

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

Shadows Fall (a Musette)

Don’t stop

Do not look back

Leaves drop

Shadows

Do not create

Meadows

Walk tall

Don’t look beyond

Nightfall

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:

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

Waterfall

Today we went to Geelong’s picturesque “Buckleys Falls River Reserve” for our morning walkies and I took several photos using my iPhone and wrote the Haiku, attached below, while relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery all around us.

The river bank walk towards the waterfall

The Barwon river below the cascade

The gentle cascade at Buckleys Falls, and the Historic Paper Mill in the background

The Barwon River Reserve Picnic area, where I wrote the poem, and Frankie enjoying his bushwalk outing.

For a comprehensive article about the Buckleys Falls River Reserve, you may like to open this > https://waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-victoria-buckley-falls-geelong.htm

Waterfall (a Haiku)

Within urban sprawl

There is a gentle cascade

Scenic Buckleys Falls

Music/Video Below: Please enjoy this beautifully scenic performance by Sigur Rós, Live In Ásbyrgi, of Hoppípolla & Með blóðnasir …

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:

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