Category: Perceptions

Robbie’s Inspiration – Book reviews: Perceptions by Ivor Steven and Derrick Knight

A special thank you to Robbie Cheadle of “Robbie’s Inspiration” for her majestic review of “our” book. Please refer to her complete article by clicking on this link >> https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/2025/01/24/robbies-inspiration-book-reviews-perceptions-by-ivor-stevens-and-derrick-knight-and-amanda-in-scotland-by-darlene-foster/?_gl=1*3amfe7*_gcl_au*Mzg4MTk1MzY0LjE3MzcwMjMwNTI.


Robbie’s Inspiration – Book reviews: Perceptions by Ivor Steven and Derrick Knight

What Amazon says

This colourful and fascinating book is a collection of collaborative articles. The photographs were taken by Derrick Knight from the New Forest area of southern England, and associated ekphrastic poems were written by Ivor Steven from Geelong, the other side of the world, the southern end of Australia.

My review

I am a fan of Ivor Steven’s poetry and also of Derrick Knight’s photography so this combined collection of poetry and photography is a real treat.

Ivor depicts everyday events and life through a lens of beautiful and uplifting words which is a marvelous talent. Derrick captures everyday life in an unusual and special way. I really enjoyed these combinations.

A few examples of the poetry with descriptions of the accompanying photographs:

Sunset couple on bench – a gorgeous photograph of the sun setting over water and flooding the world with golden light with a silhouette of a loving couple on a bench.

The words: A Rainbow Dance
“At the end of the rainbow
We shall dance and glow
On nature’s golden plateau”

Autumn woodland – a wonderful photograph of a wooded area during autumn which the trees are a variety of yellows, greens and auburns. There is a large bush, in shades of beige, in the forefront.

An extract from Connected:
“up there
under draconian dark clouds
I see a blue moon rising
gracefully shrouding the horizon”

Ferns and grasses – a glorious picture of ferns and grasses adorned in shades of green and yellow, dancing in the sunlight.

Extract from The Ancient Fern Survives:
“selfish, unopened minds remain numbed
False eyelashes are heavy and closed
Botoxed lips are silent and sealed
And elephant ears have been pegged out of sight”

This book is a special combination of visual and literary delights.

Purchase Perceptions on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1387487302

Purchase Perceptions on Lulu.com here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions&page=1&pageSize=4








Ivor Steven (c) January 2025

Throwback Friday, The Ancient Fern Survives

Today’s Throwback poem is from June 2022, and is also in my book Perceptions, page 37.

Featured Image Above: by Derrick Knight > https://derrickjknight.com/2022/06/10/rich-pickings/

The Images below: are from my courtyard ..





The Ancient Fern Survives



Selfish, unopened minds remain numbed
False eyelashes are heavy and closed
Botoxed lips are silent and sealed
And elephant ears have been pegged out of sight



But there under our careless feet
The earth’s ferns have agelessly survived
Three hundred and sixty million years
Without changing the appearance of their golden leaves
That timelessly regenerate themselves
By naturally releasing their fertilising spores



https://youtube.com/watch?v=WJ8edDThJ3A%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent









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) August 2024

Standing Upright (a repost from August 2020)

Over at Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is: Resilience
To visit their fabulous site click on >> Here


Below is, the original introduction from my post in August 2020.
“Hello dear readers, I’ve been writing this poem over the last three days, and I was struggling to obtain any rhythm between thoughts and words, then I saw a wondrous photo on Derrick Knight’s blog/website this morning, (which is my ‘Featured Image’ above), and his picture of the glorious old oak tree, immediately channeled my thoughts, into that of strength and “resilience“, and from there, my Title was formed, and my words started to become a more cohesive piece of poetry…. Thank you, Derrick, for allowing me to use this beautiful and impressive photo, with my humble little poem.” >> https://derrickjknight.com/

Please Note; “Standing Upright” appears in our book “Perceptions”, a Collaboration of Poems and Photographs from Ivor Steven and Derrick Knight (Nov 2022)


Standing Upright

My heart’s bruised from bygone blood-stones
Threaded together by the spirits of old bones
And there resting within my aging body’s sway
I am shedding soulful droplets on sunny days

The world’s foul winds had blown me off my feet
After wobbling down cold and dusty streets
Then a modern medicine man came with his young tribe
Re-tuning my broken pieces with rhythmical vibes
And they declared my heartstrings to be plucky enough
To handle tomorrow’s mystery masks and travelers’ handcuffs




https://youtube.com/watch?v=8hx4XLhSswY%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent






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) July 2024

The Summer Book Fair – Barwon Heads, Victoria, Australia

The Summer Book Fair will showcase Indie Authors from across Victoria and help you find new favourite Authors. FREE entry to all visitors. And I will be one of the “Indie Authors” at the Book Fair

Time & Location

14 Jan 2024, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Community Hall, Barwon Heads, 77 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads VIC 3227, Australia

About the Event

The Book Reality Experience presents the Barwon Heads Indie Author Book Fair, which celebrates stories from children’s books through to horror, sci-fi, fantasy and every genre in between. We can’t wait to welcome you to this one-day event filled with Author Exhibits, readings and the opportunity to talk directly with independently published authors… some of whom will become your new favourites. FREE entry to all visitors.

Click here to learn more about the authors in attendance.





Balance

Hello dear readers, I’ve just arrived back home after my evening out at the “Twilight Market” event … For me, the night was a balancing act between my general tiredness and my willingness to participate in the event. Good news, I managed to run my stall ok, but now this little old hero is on the tired end of the “seesaw” … 😴
The poem “Balance” is in “Our” book Perceptions (page 5), and the Featured Image Above, was taken by Derrick Knight >> https://derrickjknight.com/2020/07/14/keeping-its-balance/



Balance


There is a distant shore
Between why and when
Life is a seesaw
Between hero’s and heroine’s


There is a balance
Between ups and downs
Life is a challenge
Between smiles and frowns


There is a common ground
Between storms and calmness
Life is a humming sound
Between love and blindness








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/

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) December 2023

Throwback Friday, Time Watches Over Us

Todays Throwback Friday poem is from Dec 1st 2021, and appears in “Our” colourful Book “Perceptions” (page 25)

 Featured Image Above, is one of Derrick Knight’s fabulous photos [ https://derrickjknight.com/ ]



Time Watches Over Us



ours is not to reason why
for we are merely a fly
in the bigger sky
just passing by


however!


we do not stop learning
because every day
teaches us something new


and!


we cannot cease loving
because every day
our universe
creates something new
for us to love


yes!


the wheels of time
do not stop turning
and grandfather clocks
do not stop chiming







Ivor Steven (c) December 1st 2023

Forever is a Long Time




I received some special news during the week

A thing that happens to most books and their authors

But for this old poet the occurrence has extra significance

My wonderful editor/publisher, Judy

Deposited my books, Tullawalla and Perceptions

With the Australian National Library, for archiving


The books and me (Ivor Steven) as the author

Are now forever a part of Australia’s Artistic history

Not bad for the descendant of a convict

Yessiree!

I can almost hear them cheering and clapping





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/

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) July 2023

Perceptions, Photos From the Book Launch

The book launch day was a great success with a good attendance and many books were purchased and I gratefully signed them all. Thank you to Judy, Maureen, and Maja for sending me the photos.

I’m doing the introductory thank you’s with Frankie’s help …

A happy and appreciative audience

L-R: Cousin Terri(Philadelphia), Miffy(sister), cousin Nola(Geelong), me, cousin Maureen(Philadelphia)

R-Centre: Judy Rankin (editor/publisher) – Me and the books, Tullawalla & Perceptions

Kerri, the Cover Designer, there in spirit(Philadephia) – Maja, my guest reader

I think Frankie thought the show was all about him





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/

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) April 2023

Perceptions, Video Trailer

A big thank you to Judy at Jaymah Press [https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/] for creating this fabulous Promotional Trailer for me …












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/

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) April 2023

Visitors and My Book Launch

“Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.” – Charles Addams
My two Philadephia cousins will be staying at my little abode in seven days time, which also happens to be the day of my “Perceptions” book launch. I have not been panicking “much”, and my cleaning-up and preparation has been a process of organised chaos!



Visitors and My Book Launch (a Tanka)


Before the events

Preparation means calmness

Self-doubts slowly fade

My cousins will be comfy

And the book launch is ready








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/

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) April 2023