Category: Poems

Throwback Friday, Day One

Today’s philosophical Throwback Friday poem was written in April 2022 and is published in my book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”



Day One

Before Day One

I wished upon a star
That the milk-bar
Was not too far away
My life’s bread was crumbling
My weathered hands were fumbling
Witnessing the Last Supper was humbling

Day One

There, beyond the darkness
Out in the universe
From a million light-years away
Under an alien’s microscopic frame
We would all look the same

After Day One

I wished for the dust to settle
Then waited for rusted gunmetal
To mature into household kettles
Whistling hallelujah to new sunflower petals







Ivor Steven (c) December 2024

Under a White Light (a Tanka)

My Tanka, “1” of Five
FROM: Into The Light, Sunflower Tanka, Anthology
The “Sunflower Tanka,” is an Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, and Experimental Tanka, superbly compiled by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro, Contributing Editors.
>> https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
>> https://colleenchesebro.org/

Amazon.com LINK

Amazon.UK.com LINK

Amazon.Australia. Amazon.com.au : Sunflower Tanka: An Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka




Under a White Light (a Tanka)

Within the forest
There’s a glen where children play
Under a white light
Where mystical faeries
Flit around, happy and free







Ivor Steven (c) December 2024

Christmas Cake and Champagne






Christmas Cake and Champagne

Last night, I stumbled through the front door
With chocolates and shortbreads in my hand
Somehow, during our morning walkies,
A friendly Christmas Cake followed us home
Then I went to the Saturday Christmas Market
Where I sold three of my poetry books
Also, I purchased a bar of handmade soap
and a lovely painting of an old upright piano
For my sister’s Birthday on Boxing Day


When the Market Day wound down
Our Creative Geelong Makers group
Enjoyed a Christmas break-up party
With cheese platters and champagne
Then with my book trolley in hand
I managed to catch the last bus home
And again, I stumbled through the front door






Ivor Steven (c) December 2024

Throwback Friday, Tomorrow’s Sky

I originally wrote today’s ‘Throwback Friday’ poem in June 2021 as a protest against the proposed drilling for oil in the “Great Australian Bight,” a protected ocean area known as the Great Australian Bight Commonwealth Marine Reserve.
And as is my way, I have revised and rewritten my poem “Tomorrow’s Sky”



Tomorrow’s Sky (Revised)


Floating upon my bed of rhyme
I continued to drift into Dreamtime
Reaching out through the window
I imagined what I could borrow
From the world’s future of sorrow

And beyond the blue horizon
On the edge of the Indian Ocean
I grabbed a piece of tomorrow’s sky
Strange, the feeling bamboozled my eye

Then magically I saw an azure hue of daylight
Within the shimmering mirage of nature’s plight
An unpolluted view of the “Great Australian Bight”










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) December 2024

Sunflower Tanka, Into The Light – 1st Edition 2024


Today, I received an early Christmas present: my copy of the amazing “Sunflower Tanka,” an Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, and Experimental Tanka, superbly compiled by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro, Contributing Editors.
>> https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
>> https://colleenchesebro.org/

The attached scans below are my “5” Tanka, which incorporate the theme “Into The Light” and were selected by the editors.

Amazon.com LINK

Amazon.UK.com LINK

Amazon.Australia. Amazon.com.au : Sunflower Tanka: An Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka




Ivor Steven (c) December 2024

Carefree (a Haiku)





Carefree (a Haiku)



Twilight butterflies
Floating on the summer breeze
Peaceful and carefree







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) December 2024




My First “Red” Cherry Tomatoe

Nine days before Christmas my Cherry Tomatoe plant gifted me a little ripe tomatoe. Early summer has been quite warm, today it’ll be 41’C. With plenty of watering my courtyard garden is flourishing.


My 6′ high cherry tomatoe plant, beside the Jazzy Bougainvillea


Dragon Wing Red Begonia, Ruby Red Geranium … and the Sunflower is about to bloom







Ivor Steven (c) December 2024

My “Dome” Poetry Friends (a Limerick)

Feature Image Above is of The magnificent Geelong Library, affectionately known as “The Dome”

Today was the ‘Dome Poets’ Christmas Break-up Brunch, at the “Box Office Cafe” and the fun assignment for members was to write a short poem, anecdote, or limerick about individuals within the group.

The Collage Below is a collection of the anecdotes and limericks about “me”, written by my “Dome” poet friends and recited at our Christmas break-up gathering.






My “Dome” Poetry Friends (a Limerick)


We’re an enthusiastic writing group of ten
Who meet at the “Dome” every now and then
Poetry friends, Mark, Martin, Emma, and Jenny
Together with, Trish, Diane, Athalie, and Jacque
We are warmly encouraged by our witty convenor, Jen













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) December 2024

Throwback Friday, Tower to Heaven

Today I am presenting my poem from the “Fae Dreams” Anthology, October 2020. I wrote the original piece in 2018.


Tower to Heaven (Revised)


I remember the day
Like it was yesterday
A cold morning in the paddock
I, a static shadow in the flock
Standing beside a giant pylon
I looked up to heaven
Straight up the tower
The tower of power
Crosses of galvanized iron
Straining under the winter sun
Wind howling through its huge steel web
And demons screaming in my head
My spirit began climbing the spire
Clambering higher and higher
Up the pyramid of life’s wires
Desperate, I grasp at my ultimate desire
A visionary mission before I die
To embrace a piece of my angels’ sky








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) December 2024

My “Cool” Christmas Haircut (written by Frankie)






My “Cool” Christmas Haircut, (written by Frankie)

Summer has arrived
My winter coat is too warm
And I’m looking quite shabby

So, I walked my Hooman pal
To the local groomer’s
For my “Cool” Christmas haircut











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) December 2024