Hello, dear readers and followers. I’m going away for a 10-day holiday and a break tomorrow, but I’ve ‘Scheduled’ several poems on my WP site while Frankie and I are up at Ballarat. (so my WP blogging will be very minimal)
A Sunflower Reminder (a Tanka)
My sunflower blooms
Three short days before Christmas
But three long winters
Have passed over the meadows
Without peace in the Ukraine
Ivor Steven (c) December 2024
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
The Moon Avoids the Summer Sun (a Tanka)
The morning moon sets
And slowly slides into bed
Unobtrusively
Resting beneath shady trees
Away from the summer sun
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
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
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)
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 Poem/Haiku is a ‘poetic’ comment that I posted to Carol (of Therapy Bits) in response to her beautiful poem >> https://therapybits.com/2024/12/16/in-midnights-quiet-seek-the-minds-release/
Midnight Rainbows (a Haiku)
The yellow full moon
Illuminates the night sky
With dreamy rainbows
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
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
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
Over at Weekly Prompts, the Weekend Challenge is the word Ghost!
You can visit their fabulous by clicking on >> Here.
My Tanka/Poem below is about me exorcising my personal ghosts.
More Than Static (a Tanka)
I’m not elastic
Or a paralysed object
I am not static
Or a dysfunctional soul
I am solid, like a rock
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
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 