Dear readers and followers, I’m in a conundrum. Below are five of my poems that I’ve choosen to submit for pubilication, in the 2019 Geelong Writers Annual Anthology. The problem for me, is that I’m only allowed, to submit TWO !!! Please help… if you wish to, chose “2” and mention them in your comment on this article…. I would gratefully accept any feedback… Thank you…. And Of course I have to do my submission before I leave for New York, on Wednesday 24th April.

*1   I Dream On Snippets

I’m living on snippets

A snip here, a piece there

I don’t watch TV news nor read newspapers

There’s no need to see more

False dreams don’t swim in my sea

And realities fill my soul with broken keys

I don’t watch many movies

I know their spirit’s are within me

And their ghosts live beyond what I see

I’m sipping on the holy grail

A thimble of wine

To a chalice of water

There’s no need to drink more

Rivers of tears have already flooded my heart

And clouds fill my soul with yesterdays rain

I’m eating snippets

A morsel here, a crumb from there

I don’t hunt for my groceries

There’s no need to eat more

Food magically lands on my plate

Delivered by angels who look after me

I’m breathing wisps of air

Gasping for my invisible share

Enough to activate my inner being

There’s no need to inhale more

The sky is infinite and free

And the trees air fills my lungs, regenerating me

*2  Leafless Branches

There’s a warning sign swirling in my yard

Words are being splattered on my fence

Blown in by today’s gale

Leafless branches are flying around

Nature’s own, final count down

Suddenly, on the horizon, there’s a red-brown cloud

Rolling in, over the barren hills

And a dust-storm quickly engulfs the air

Racing silver clouds and blue sky

Invisible through the thick red haze

Dry topsoil from the western plains

Aerially transported by the wind’s angry throat

And there’s no calming the dusty tempest

Until mother nature has had her way

I stand here, leaning against her force

Feeling her violence, pitch dirt in my face

*3   My Rainbow

Over mountains, into a distant sky

Blazing hues of African butterflies

Sparkling reflections of our last goodbyes

Did you see my yesterday rainbow

She’s ruby red, yellow and blue

The heavenly ring, in everyone’s view

Above you, a perfect archway

Behind you, a forever shining sun-ray

Around you, a golden halo everyday

*4   Don’t Ask Me Why

Unknowingly, I often dream of her serene ashen face

Years ago, I gently held her frailty in my tired arms

Softly whispering to her, last words of love and grace

Don’t ask me why, I count the days, since I’ve missed her charms

I cannot give you a sensible nor plausible answer

Don’t ask my why, I count the weeks, since I lost my way

I’m unable to fathom the depths of my inner cancer

Don’t ask me why, I count the months, since she died that day

Because I’m still gradually recovering

Remembering she’ll never ever go away

And somehow, I’m steadily rediscovering

Knowing someday, I’ll be allowed to stay

*5   Beyond The Brick Wall

My time’s feeling lost and unrequired

Yesterday, I was worn and tired

Today, I did reach for the sky

Tomorrow, I’ll give life another try

Yesterday, I hit the brick wall

Today, I jumped every puddle

Tomorrow, hurdles will be castles in the sand

Everyday, my unknown future lays in my hands

Every-week, my dream looks like potter’s clay

Today, I uncovered tomorrow is the next day

Tomorrow, is not my vision of times to come

Tomorrow, is the beginning of my shining sun

Ivor Steven (c)  2019

The Winning Team

I was down and out, at the bottom end of my cellar

But behind every engine’s burnt-out propeller

There needs to be a cohesive working team

To help strengthen an old wingless being

Doctors, diligently searched for the inward source

Nurses, no matter the hour, my dutiful force

In and out of hospital, a worrisome five times

Up and down, like a Jack and Jill nursery rhyme

My Rehab recovery was like Hillary’s interrupted journey

The Therapists never, let it be, and were my district attorney

An enthusiastic group, supported my every step, towards New York

We laughed, we cried, and listened to poetry talk

Therapy music, had to be played loud and clear

Every new hurdle I jumped, they all did cheer

Months and weeks passed, and gradually I lost my inner fears

To all  at M.R.C., in my heart, you’ll always be very dear.

Ivor Steven (c)  2019