Category: Nature

Eleven Shades of Ocean Sunrises

My Pacific cruise was coming to an end in April 2018 and this was the last poem that I wrote during my cruise, as I recalled photographing the “Eleven Sunrises” of the cruise.

Eleven Shades of Ocean Sunrises


the ocean’s sunrise

my daily prize

evoked my gaze

like a glitzy floor-dance

Mother natures

star performer

her razzle and dazzle

upon morning sea drizzle

reflections of colour

her horizon of vigour

purity defined

a royal skyline

endless over time

eleven days she was mine






Originally posted by Ivor Steven (c) April 2018

Sharpen Those Pencils

“As a poet, sometimes we confuse ourselves, Trying to create ashes, instead of fire ” – Loenard Cohen

I wrote this poem for “Go Dog Go Cafe’s , Make It Happen Thursday”, please go over and visit our fabulous site by clicking >> Here http://godoggocafe.com/2022/03/24/make-it-happen-thursday-8/



Sharpen Those Pencils


I like to write with a HB lead pencil
I enjoy the earthy feel of wood in my fingers
And the soft touch of carbon upon paper

During sharpening time, my mind ponders
About the origins of those timber shavings
And the history behind the carbon slithers
These tiny trival objects all evoke thoughts
Then the thoughts instigate words in my mind
And simply like that, my writing process begins

I never retire without my note-pad nearby
And a lead pencil as my trusty writing scribe
Sometimes heavy, other times light
A necessary sword to fight off a dark night






Ivor Steven (c) March 2022

We Do Not Need Darker Skies




Wandering over shadowless ground

Did you notice too?

The clouds loomed darker this morning

And their bleakness was edging closer

Have they lost their way too?



Did you notice?

The birds sounded sadder this morning

They were not singing their awakening tunes

Actually! Where have all the birds gone

Have they fled from home too?






Ivor Steven (c) March 2022

Innocent Millipedes




Please Mr Shootin’ Putin

Do not roll your tanks of destruction

Over the innocent Mr & Mrs Millipede

Millipedes were the earliest animals to breathe air

And make the move from water to land

They date back 428 million years

Now people of the world cannot hold back their tears


Did you know Mr Shootin’ Putin

That Millipedes are fairly timid critters

Docile decomposers that live in the leaf litter

Of forests all over the world!

They aren’t flashy or fast

And they follow the motto

“Slow and steady wins the race”

Millipedes are peaceful

They don’t bite

They can’t sting

And they don’t have pincers to fight back




Please Mr Shootin’ Putin

Do not roll your tanks of destruction

Over the innocence of creation






Ivor Steven (c) March 2022

On The Banks of Lake Connewarre




I am not here to wait

For the world to finally rotate

Time for me is getting late

I am here to watch the grand parade

Eventually pass by my front gate


One day soon

After the next purple moon

Illuminates our children’s fearful tears

I will see those grandiose leaders

Calmly sit down together

On the peaceful banks

Of Lake Connewarre*


Connewarre; an Aboriginal word meaning ‘black swan’







Ivor Steven (c) February 2022

Throwback Friday, Day Lily and Love, by Ivor Steven

You can visit my article/post at “Go Dog Go Cafe”, by clicking on this link
>> http://godoggocafe.com/2022/02/18/throwback-friday-day-lily-and-love-by-ivor-steven/

During the month of February, my stunning Day Lily begins to bloom, and my poem today was originally written in February 2018


Day Lily and Love


Upon my pillow I sleep

Good morning, I do peek

From the cushion of my dreams

To my garden’s radiating beams

Blushing red hues, oh so bright

You bloom during the night

After cuddling the dew

You open up your scenic view

Flowering, standing proud and steep

Perfection at my feet

A glorious Lily, like wings of a dove

And by sunlight, you air your love






Ivor Steven (c) February 2018

A Hard Floor

Today I am presenting another poem that I wrote while attending a “Writing Circle” Zoom meeting on Sunday morning, hosted by the talented and gracious, Ali Grimshaw … If you are interested in attending one of her fabulous on-line “Zoom Sessions”, you can visit her site by clicking on this link
>> https://flashlightbatteries.blog/



A Hard Floor



Storms rush in, then go

High seas and undertows

My chaotic fears on show

Before the final covering snow


I will sit and hibernate

Here on a hard floor

While wintry months

Await the thaw


Only to find the exit door

Opens onto another hard floor






Ivor Steven (c) February 2022

Logically, I Am Here

Today’s poem is one that I wrote while attending a “Writing Circle” meeting, hosted by the talented and gracious, Ali Grimshaw … If you are interested in attending one of her fabulous on-line “Zoom Sessions”, you can visit her site by clicking on this link
>> https://flashlightbatteries.blog/



Logically, I Am Here



Nonsense and logic

What is the difference?

In our world today


A forest breeze

Caresses my senses

Like flowering gum-trees

Free up my defenses


I love nonsense

Is it my best sense?

My most creative sense

Is it my good mood sense?

Free of commonsense

And government expense






Ivor Steven (c) February 2022

Have We the Backbone? 

 
 
 
Are we ever going to change? 

Our attitudes 

Are we ever going to open our eyes? 

To the faded colour of our sky 


Are we clever enough to hear? 

The distress of nature’s sounds 

Are we brave enough to declare? 

The truth within our hearts 


When will it be safe enough to feel? 

Stardust between our toes 

Have we a strong enough backbone? 

To unload all the foolish gold 






Ivor Steven (c) February 2022