After a day of giving thanks
The night sky’s moon did glow
Before the next day begun
In this commonwealth of man
We celebrate Boxing Day
By continuing an old tradition
Of giving gifts to the poor people
With the annual charity gatherings
Of feasts and presents for the needy
And here today, my sister’s birthday
A family party with more festivities
Again a day of sharing love and happiness
Giving thanks for our togetherness
Ivor Steven [c] 2019
Almost There
So I Say Hello to you
I turned away from you
After almost six weeks
Of this harrowing streak
It’s been no stroll in the park
Resting here in the semi dark
The painful knives have been withdrawn
The headaches have almost retired
I’m almost well enough
To enjoy Christmas with family
And by the start of two thousand and twenty
I’ll be almost here, I’ll be almost me again
So I say hello to you
And wish you a happy and healthy festive season
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
A Cheery Santa
The season of merry cheer is here
There’s always many Christmas parties
They seem to begin weeks before
Yesterday Santa was at the Valhalla Bar
Ho ho, he was big happy Santa
With a sackful of gifts for everyone
I’m one of the oldest children there
I know he’s not really real
As I had a beer with him 10 minutes before
Yes, big friendly Reg, became Santa
For me, a stubbie holder and a T-shirt
Even a can of Valhalla beer
And Santa Reg joined me for more frothy cheer
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
The final photo challenge of the year “Weekly Prompts is: The Tree! Please go and visit their fabulous by clicking >> Here
Love Surrounds Every Tree.
In Geelong we’ve a fancy Christmas tree
Floating on Corio Bay, for everyone to see
The Tree’s alight every night
Full of electric candles, shining bright
Also there’s a Tree at our council park
However he’s looking slightly stark
And here, under my verandah, I’ve a little Tree
Standing below our Tullawalla sign, for all the family to see
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
A Midday Mirage
I was leaning on my thoughts today
They buckled under the coffee tray
Even in the hands of the sun’s gloss
The dark envelops my minds moss
My heavy head collapsed at midday
Whereupon, closed eyes saw her bravery
Again I am witnessing the uncommon
Visualising beyond my daydreams canyon
There, a piece of my heart I had lost
Being cradled in the arms of her southern cross
A sparkling star from earth’s diamond mines
She a flawed jewel, eternally shines
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
I dreamt of your radiant face last night
So serene, a diamond, a dove, so pure white
Not sad, just vivid memories, oh, so bright
And I’ve plenty of tears, don’t worry, I’m alright
Visions of your bravery, courage above and beyond
So gracious, an everlasting smile, our iconic bond
Completely in awe, amazing, a personal anthem
And I declare, you were natures stellar blossom
I felt your pain, your sorrow, revealed to only a few
So uncomplaining, never a burden, never a shrew
Thinking the whole world should be like you
Wishing this hungry planet could be cheerful too
Wondering is life, sometimes ordained cruel?
But I’ll continue on, for you, my sparkling Jewel
Featured Image, DHGate.com rinhoo jewelry.
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
I’ve been thinking and reflecting on the subject of “time” quite a lot lately….. maybe I’ve been in a state convalescing for too long….. but today, after my exercise group this morning, I’m going to head off to the surf beach for a swim….. it’ll be my first dip 20 months…… Yeah !!….. Below is my poem I wrote back in March, when I was finally given the Doctor’s all-clear to go to America in April …..
Time To Think
I’m thinking of, time and space
Or am I thinking of, time in space
Time
a second
an hour
a light-year
Space
could be infinite
Or a void
inside your head
The head controls your body
To walk
in your space
Your space
where you belong
You belong
a part of the human race
Right or wrong
We live our life
on this place
From the moment we are born
Until the clock chimes
your time to die
Leaving a void of empty space
And we drop out of the race
Becoming a soul of eternal grace
Ivor Steven (c) March 2019
Was yesterday a mistake
My son’s best friend died
So who am I to complain
About my leftover pain
Was yesterday a mistake
I took my body to work and I tired
I over-sweated and my muscles strained
Not long ago, my clients brother died
So who am I to complain
About my leftover pain
Today I’m going to give life another try
Even if these aches make me cry
My wife suffered and tried for thirty years
She would smile, never show me tears
So who am I to complain
About my leftover wine
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
Hello dear readers, I’m re-posting this poem, as a slightly revised edition, with the last stanza having changed around…. I thought the original was a bit sloppy….
Time Needs No Command
The white moon has fallen late
The new daytime awaits
Rollover out of dream time
Rollover to the edge of time
Leave midnight’s caressing lullaby
And discover the blue curtain sky
It’s time to stretch and yawn
It’s time to feel the misty dawn
Stand in front of time’s open hands
Stand stoically upon time’s ancient land’s
The cloudy skies of daylight do fly
As moments of time flow swiftly by
Time moves on, needing no command
The sands of time, wait for no man
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
Gravitational tides flow in and ebb out
This current’s tidal strain was high
But tonight a full moon did glow
And finally the painful tide
Has begun to subside
Uncovering caressing sands
To slowly pass through my hands
And the harpoon behind my eye
Is no longer my nightly lullaby
Hard times flow in and ebb out
Now It’s time to swim free like a trout
Ivor Steven (c) Dec 2019
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 