Category: Poems

The Ravens Know (a Tanka)






The Ravens Know (a Tanka)


Blackbirds and grey clouds

Cast shadows on the tarmac

Cold air swirls around

Hail makes that hammering sound

Ravens elope to the trees








Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,


Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

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 2024

Throwback Friday, Day One (Lest We Forget)

“Day One” a poem I wrote in April 2022 for ‘Anzac Day’ … Lest We Forget …



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





This graphic Music/Video by the Pogues “needs no more words”




Ivor Steven (c) April (Anzac Day) 2024

Beyond Flawed Paws





Beyond Flawed Paws


 
 
We are flying north before winter 

I am on the edge of the flock 

The outside feather of the throng  

Away from the main group.  

But close enough 

To sense that I belong


 

Even with my tired and aging wings 

The congregation allows me to tag along 

And they caringly bunch together 

Sheltering me when the wind is strong


  

We are a humble and united colony  

Paternally migrating in perfect harmony 

As part of nature’s cycle of eternity


 

We soar above the flawed paws

Of the world’s sparring community 

And beyond those sharp claws

Of their tragic and panicky community






Ivor Steven (c) April 2024

Throwback Friday, Day One (Lest We Forget)

“Day One” a poem I wrote in April 2022 for ‘Anzac Day’ … Lest We Forget …



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





This graphic Music/Video by the Pogues “needs no more words”




Ivor Steven (c) April (Anzac Day) 2024

I Was Just a Stone’s Throw Away





I Was Just a Stone’s Throw Away




I am a rock

circular and flat

or round and fat

either way

pick me up and toss me into the sea

I would skip and bounce

like I was walking on water

and out there, I would be

just a stone’s throw away

from Davy Jone’s locker


however, I will not be sinking

this time!

my shiny carapace is a disguise

in reality

I am a dried-up wedge

an ancient piece of webbing

that King Neptune

once walked on











Ivor Steven (c) April 2024

No! Not the Moon Too (a Tanka)





No! Not the Moon Too (a Tanka)




I was framed! And then

Locked behind alien bars

I need to be free

Please come now and release me 

My full moon show is on soon 







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

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 2024

I Am A Humble Host

I Am a Humble Host


I am a dead stump 

a sawn-off lump 


these days I am hosting 

a flourishing fungus 

nature’s most diverse organism 

that is currently surviving 

on my aged bark’s 

ecological metabolism 


here, in my ethereal afterlife  

I am a humble host 

who is metaphysically appreciating 

being the fungi’s homely bedpost 







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

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 2024

Love at First Sight 






Love at First Sight 


the morning clouds  

were stone-grey and low 

and their persistent showers  

kept swirling in


 

I was at the cemetery  

with pink roses for Carole

the lawn was damp and slippery  

I lost my balance and stumbled 

and fell against her headstone 

no damage was done, to her or me


 

then I remembered 

how I bumbled and stumbled  

when we first met 

a fortuitous blind date


 

despite my awkwardness 

we wholeheartedly shared  

“love at first sight” 







Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

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 2024

Treasuring Poetry – Meet prolific poet, Ivor Steven, and a Book review

Writing to be Read

Treasuring Poetry – Meet prolific poet, Ivor Steven, and a review #poetry #poetrycommunity #TreasuringPoetry



Thank you, Robbie Cheadle, for sharing my thoughts on poetry and for reviewing my new book, “Until Eyes Hear Sound” for Treasuring Poetry on Writing to be Read!
I invite you to read my interesting interview, and her fabulous review, which I have linked below.

Treasuring Poetry – Meet prolific poet, Ivor Steven, and a review #poetry #poetrycommunity #TreasuringPoetry










Ivor Steven (c) April 2024

Under the Snow (a Revisit)

A special poem I wrote, after I’d taken my Lady to hospital for the last time, on the day of her 65th birthday, twelve years ago. Hello Carole, time goes by and my hands have not moved …


Under The Snow

We emanate to a birthday.
We deflate to a final day.
Birthdays, they all come, they all go.
Birthdays, in the sunshine, under the snow.
Birthdays, slow to mature, quickly an eon.
Birthdays, before we are born, after we are gone.
Birthdays, hanging on by a breath.
Birthdays, nailed to a cross ’til death.
What does it all mean to be alive and cry?
What does it all mean to live and to die?









Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/until-eyes-hear-sound

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 2024