“The Proof is in the Pudding”

Frankie proof-reading “Until Eyes Hear Sound”… After, reading is tiring




“The Proof is in the Pudding”




“Woof, woof, posties at the front door”

Yeah! The proof copy has arrived 

And intuitively, Frankie knows

This new book is important

And especially precious to me 

As I place the book between his paws

So he can carefully turn the pages

And diligently do a proof-read for me  

“Woof, woof, your poems are easy to read”











Ivor Steven (c) February 2024

Throwback Friday, Birds On Wires

Going back in my files I discovered that I have “2” poems titled “Birds On Wires”. The First one is from July 2020 and the Second piece is from March 2023, so I decided to post both Poems … maybe you can let me know which one is your favourite.




Birds On Wires, (July 2020, which appears in “Until Eyes Hear Sound” page 12)

Here on the edge of lower earth
Beyond the urban concrete girth
Withering trees are trying to grow
Reaching for that mystical power flow
Hungering for energy from contaminated ground
Not the airwaves of false sonic sound
Man-made arrows cluttering  the sky
Unnatural webs soaring high
Bird snatching wires
Hanging on cold steal spires
Carriers of these modern times
The pulse of humanities crimes




Birds On Wires (March 2023)

Weary gray clouds 
Lay anchored in the sky 
Moist air hangs breathless 
Not a wisp to disperse the flies 
An anxious sweaty dampness
Clings to everything

Birds on wires sit motionless 
Waiting for a thermal updraft 
To lift spirits beyond this world of smallness
Where greed and wars seem senseless
And remain the leader’s primary craft 











“Until Eyes Hear Sound”, Due out March 21st



Ivor Steven (c) February 2024

“Until Eyes Hear Sound”, The Back Cover and My ‘Blurb’

Yesterday, Judy, my editor/publisher, set me one last task before my manuscript could be sent to the printers, which was to design a Back Cover with an interesting ‘Blurb’ for my new book. By using my ‘Canva App’, and reworking Kerri’s Front Cover design, I was happy with the image that I created. Then the difficult part was writing an appropriate ‘Blurb’ for my book, which was to be my debut attempt at writing such a piece. After many torn-up drafts and lots of frustrating self-doubts, I eventually produced my ‘Blurb’.





“Until Eyes Hear Sound”, My ‘Blurb’

The title ‘Until Eyes Hear Sound’ could mean different things depending on your interpretation. It could be a poetic expression, a metaphor for waiting for something to happen, or a way of describing a state of deep concentration where one is so focused on one’s inner vision that one becomes oblivious to external sounds.
Ivor’s poems do not suggest having the answers, but his words encourage you to think about the environment we live in, as he ponders the purpose of our existence in the Universe.
“If you love poetry that challenges, inspires, and moves you, this book is for you.”







Ivor Steven (c) February 2024

Deep and Deeper? (revised)

A poem I wrote back in April, a piece that did not make the final list in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, oh damn … maybe one for my next Book! … Anyhow, my poem seems appropriate for the world’s current happenings and dramatic events





Deep and Deeper?




while afloat, we keep seeking 

and building boats that keep leaking 

time sails by, and we keep weeping

I often wonder how deep

humanities knowledge is

yet unseen …

how deep are our oceans

yet unseen …

how deep is the universe

yet unseen …

how deep is humanities love

for one another

yet unseen …






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  

Throwback Friday, Epilogue, My Cloudy Vision

Today I am presenting the Epilogue’ poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. and “My Cloudy Vision” is a poem I wrote in September 2018, and it will be the finale piece in the Book.
Please Note: the photo attached below, is the proposed cover design for my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, created by my niece Kerri Costello – Philadelphia.



Epilogue. My Cloudy Vision

I am trying to write myself a Mission Statement 
Feels like a speech I need to practice in the basement 
I have never been good at making speeches 
They are messy, like eating mushy peaches 

When I first began writing poetry 
My main aim was to teach myself to read and write again 
Several years ago, I suffered a Stroke 
Times become tough, depression drowned this bloke 

Poetry became a form of self-therapy 
I listened to music and inspirational lyrics 
Leonard Cohen’s songs were always playing 
I fervently keep writing 

My life became centered inside a small sphere 
While also caring for my lovely wife, her MS was severe 
Writing was my retreat, a place of solace 
My world was narrow, I was skating on thin ice 

Ten years ago, my wife did pass 
My heart turned to water on glass 
Then I heard Leonard singing again 
His music and words were not in vain 

I resumed drafting my poems 
Grieving, words were sad and solemn 
Healing takes time 
Soulfully I wrote more rhyme 

I joined local writers’ groups 
My words were out there, under readers boots 
On a prompt, I started a website six years ago 
My confidence grew, I came in from the snow 

Wondering what my goal is, where do I go 
There are many answers, I do not know 
In the future, I believe a poetry book or two 
I have volumes of poems waiting in the queue 

This is my story 
My life’s journey 
Of cloudy visions 
My words, my mission 







Ivor Steven (c) October 2023

Throwback Friday, Dancing In The Rain (an Epigram)

Today I am presenting the ‘penultimate‘ poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. and “Dancing In The Rain (an Epigram)” is a poem I wrote in September 2022, and it will be the last piece in the ‘Others’ section of Chapter 10. Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others
Please Note: the photo attached below, is the proposed cover design for my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, created by my niece Kerri Costello – Philadelphia.

Artwork © Kerri Costello




Dancing In The Rain (an Epigram)


In one way or another

After leaving our mothers

Life delivers us to love and pain

While dancing in the rain







Ivor Steven (c) September 2023

Throwback Friday, Shadows Fall (a Musette)



Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eye Eyes Hear Sound”. The ‘Musette’ is also a relatively new poem format for me, (thank you to Ryan, >> https://daysofstone.com/, for introducing me to the Musette format), and “Shadows Fall” is a poem I wrote in February 2023, and it will be an exciting piece in the ‘Others’ section of Chapter 10. Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others




Shadows Fall (a Musette)




Don’t stop

Do not look back

Leaves drop




Shadows

Do not create

Meadows




Walk tall

Don’t look beyond

Nightfall










Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2023

Throwback Friday, Lullaby (a Senryu)

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Lullaby’ in May 2023, and the Senryu will be the opening piece in the ‘Senryu’ section of Chapter 10. Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others.

And coincidently, over at Weekly Prompts, the Midweek Challenge is the word Napping, please visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here

Please Note: All above images (Except the one of Frankie), were by taken by Derrick Knight, and he kindly allows me to reproduce his wonderful photos here on my poetry website. If you wish, you may visit his fabulous Site via this link > https://derrickjknight.com/2023/05/17/baby-species/




Lullaby (a Senryu)



Sleep little ones, sleep

Our Chaotic world will wait

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) September 2023

Throwback Friday, Exposed (a Haiku)

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Exposed’ in October 2020, and the Haiku will be the opening piece in the ‘Haiku’ section of Chapter 10 . Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others.

Featured Image: The 14th China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow …Pinterest, 4 yrs ago





Exposed (a Haiku)


Cold droplets of rain

Icicles stuck on bare skin

Hinged by winter wind







Ivor Steven (c) August 2023