Throwback Friday, Taking Shape

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Taking Shape’ in December 2020, and the poem will be the opening piece in Chapter 8. Poetry in Slow Motion. And ironically the day after my 72nd birthday, the poem is quite appropriate …




Taking Shape


Today I forgot the date

I’ve yet to set foot on the landscape

And I cannot recall last night’s videotape

Maybe I went to bed too late

Or did I drink too many of those red grapes

I’m fighting with my breakfast crepe

And losing the battle to look shipshape

It’s time to put on my battered Superman cape

And unlock last year’s rusty gate

Ready for next year’s great escape







Ivor Steven ©  July 2023

About Today

“Do not try to live forever, you will not succeed.” George Bernard Shaw


About Today


They say ‘seventy-two’

Is the optimum room temperature

Today, I reached that ideal peak


I am not feeling older or any bolder

But my bones are weaker and colder

And heavy headstones have scored my shoulders


One day, time will have the final say

And while my eyes hear sound

I shall continue to write about today







Ivor Steven (c) July 2023

Behind the Blinds, We Hear the Music





Behind the Blinds, We Hear the Music




We are relaxing at the Box Office Cafe

The rustic venue is nearly full

Despite the day’s wintry wind

Everyone is warm and comfortable

Behind the verandah’s new protective blinds


We are listening to a glorious song by Sigur Ros

Playing to a happy community gathering

At a bucolic open-air stage in Iceland

And the stirring concert auspiciously reflects

The collective ambience of our surroundings








Ivor Steven (c) July 2023

Whispering Wind (Revised)

A poem of mine that had been hidden away in my files. I originally wrote the piece in August 2018 and here I am presenting my revised version, which I rewrote today.




Whispering Wind (Revised)


I hear the wind whistling in the trees

Melodic sounds of rustling leaves

Swirling down through the branches

Nature’s prancing colourful dancers

Fluttering faeries of the forest floor

I hear the wind applause for more

Seasonal breezes carrying pollen spores


Germinating ancient lands over the eons

Eden’s garden of blossom and vines

Serving our tables with fruit and wines

I hear the wind reciting my memories and rhymes







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) July 2023

Birds Carrying Twigs (a Tanka)




Birds Carrying Twigs (a Tanka)




With twigs in his beak

Early nest building begins

As westerly winds

Enduringly, push his wings

Toward his endearing home






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) July 2023

The Admiral Butterfly (a Tanka)

My poem/Tanka today is a direct comment/response to Derrick Knight’s fascinating post this morning >> https://derrickjknight.com/2023/07/13/dads-best-morning-of-the-week/ … and thank you to Derrick for allowing me to use his wonderful photographs here on poetry site.





The Admiral Butterfly(a Tanka)


Like a butterfly

In his changing surroundings

“Dad’s” curiously

Fluttering over the ground

Observing what’s going on







Ivor Steven (c) July 2023

Misplaced in Space, is in this week’s Coffee House Writers Magazine 

Hello dear readers and followers, I am now writing for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “Misplaced in Space”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. … please click on the link below and visit my poem, at Coffee House Writers Magazine. >> https://coffeehousewriters.com/misplaced-in-space/









Ivor Steven (c) July 2023

Throwback Friday, No Place Like Home

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘No Place Like Home’ in August 2020, and the poem will be the opening piece in Chapter 7. Memories and Rhymes



No Place Like Home


A sleeping beauty in her nightwear

Pure honesty lived in our home atmosphere

Her truth breathed, the air we shared




Hiding behind white silent doors

They tried to take her from our shores

By nailing her bed to a hospital floor

They heard my stoic voice roar




I told them, they wouldn’t win

“And watch out!! Don’t throw her in

you’ll surely regret your foolish sin

be warned, she’s Circe the Siren”




When I held her sweetness

I believe I touched greatness

And achieved weightlessness









A Blanket of Golden Sun

Today’s poem might be the 2nd poem I recite at Geelong’s Lowercase Poetry Open Mic event tonight … or maybe the piece will be too sentimental for me to read …


A Blanket of Golden Sun


I’m flying above silver linings

Gliding on layers of white velvet

Travelling toward a golden horizon

Looking for her celestial star

Bright as today’s golden sun


That warm blanket of radiance

Lovingly crafted by her gentle hands

Held together by golden strings

From a softly humming violin

That played our song, “Once Upon a Time”

Reciting the golden hours of our love story




“Once Upon a Time”: our favourite version, sung by Bobby Darin







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) July 2023