Tag: Culture

The Voice (a Monologue), Revised

Today I attended the monthly meeting of Geelong’s, Dome Poetry Group, our assignment was to present a ‘Monologue’ and I duly recited my poem “The Voice”. After taking note of the constructive discussion and a few helpful hints, this afternoon I have written a “Revised Version” of the poem. Special thanks to Guenter (Geelong Writers Pres) and my fellow “Dome Poets”. 
Please note, the original version is attached below





The Voice (a Monologue), Revised


Do not yet shut the doors

But give me leave to speak with you and yours

Do not yet turn away

The time I ask of you is brief for what I have to say

Join me in the shade of this country’s trees

My ancient words are free

But why listen to a language you cannot see

In the past, you have not heard my pleas

And forever! I have been treated harshly


I am a dream-time spirit bird

Flying within your boundaries seems absurd

You! Have clipped my wings

And unashamedly ripped apart my kin

You! Desecrated my sacred ground

For the price of two axes and a Pound

Yes! It’s time to sit without descent

On the sand inside your tribal tent







https://youtube.com/watch?v=5F6VfrRmmAw%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent




Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2023

The Voice (a Monologue), Revised

Today I attended the monthly meeting of Geelong’s, Dome Poetry Group, our assignment was to present a ‘Monologue’ and I duly recited my poem “The Voice”. After some constructive discussion and a few helpful hints, this afternoon I have written a “Revised Version” of the poem. Special thanks to Guenter (Geelong Writers Pres) and my fellow “Dome Poets”. Please note, the original version is attached below

On Saturday, 14 October 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. I’ll be voting “Yes”




The Voice (a Monologue), Revised


Do not yet shut the doors

But give me leave to speak with you and yours

Do not yet turn away

The time I ask of you is brief for what I have to say

Join me in the shade of this country’s trees

My ancient words are free

But why listen to a language you cannot see

In the past, you have not heard my pleas

And forever! I have been treated harshly


I am a dream-time spirit bird

Flying within your boundaries seems absurd

You! Have clipped my wings

And unashamedly ripped apart my kin

You! Desecrated my sacred ground

For the price of two axes and a Pound

Yes! It’s time sit without descent

On the sand inside your tribal tent





The Voice (a Monologue), Original









Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2023

The Stage is Set (a Tanka)

Please visit the Geelong Arts Centre Development via clicking on this link >>
https://www.development.vic.gov.au/projects/geelong-arts-centre?page=overview




The Stage is Set (a Tanka)




Unfurl the curtain

For the grand opening night

Geelong’s pride and joy

A cultural theatre

And Arts Centre is ready





I know it’s not poosible: but in my dreamy imagination, it would have been fabulous to have our local international star, Xavier Rudd, sing at the opening night




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) June 2023

An Untravelled Highway

Hello dear readers and followers, I am now back writing for “Coffee House Writers” magazine, and my poem “An Untravelled Highway”, 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/an-untraveled-highway/


An Untravelled Highway


Hello newcomer

How long have you been there?

A stranger in a strange land

Standing alone on harsh ground

Living between a barbwire barrier

And an untraveled highway


Where do you come from?

My coloured one

Where are you going?

Within our vast island home

I wonder. Will you be accepted

By other pretentious squatters  

With tolerance and compassion 







Ivor Steven (c) June 2023

Mankind’s Dirty Hands

My poem today is based on a poetic ‘comment’ that I wrote on the “Chatter Blog’s” site, after reading her interesting article. For those who follow Colleen’s site, would agree that all of her posts are thought provoking and interesting, and you may visit her article by clicking on this link >> https://bikecolleenbrown.wordpress.com/2021/12/29/hasnt-been-back/



Mankind’s Dirty Hands



I am an ancient oak tree

leaning against the prevailing breeze

the winds of time have shaped me

after blowing my disguise into the sea


now here I stand

a lifeless shadow

of leafless branches

within nature’s naked forest

waiting for mankind’s dirty hands

to stop the desert sands

from ravaging the last strands

of what remains hanging over our land





Ivor Steven (c) January 2022

Tell Me Why (a Haibun)

Feeling very privileged and happy today. Last night, as a invited guest, I attended the special pre-show celebratory gathering and performance of Tell Me Why – Archie Roach, concert.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

A new work sharing stories and songs from Archie Roach’s award-winning memoir and companion album, Tell Me Why is an intimate, moving and often confronting account of his resilience, strength of spirit as well as a great love story. It’s an extraordinary odyssey of love, heartbreak, family, community, survival and renewal, showcasing the healing power of music.

Not many have lived as many lives as Archie, from stolen child, teenage alcoholic, seeker, lover, father, musical and lyrical genius, to social advocate and First Nations leader – but it took almost a lifetime to find who he really was. He is Archie Roach.

In the “Tell Me Why” show, Archie Roach voiced joy, pain, and hope within the songs that he had found on his journey to becoming the legendary singer, songwriter and storyteller that he is today; and below is my Haiku that I wrote straight after the concert …


Why (a Haiku)


The stolen children

Tell me why did they do that?

Does the river know?




Below; I have attached two of Archie Roach’s music/videos, and you can find more of his powerful lyrics and music on YouTube ...






Ivor Steven (c) December 2021

Atlantis, is up at Spillwords Magazine

I am ecstatic to have my poem “Atlantis” published at Spillwords Magazine today, and I am very grateful to the editors at Spillwords for accepting my piece .. Pease go and visit my poem at Spillwords and if you wish, leave a ❤ for my article, by clicking on this link >> https://spillwords.com/atlantis/



Atlantis



Nature’s abundant history

Bounces forth in front of our eyes

The view is silently stunning

Nature’s assets keep running

Our hearts keep drumming

In tune with nature’s humming


Gently step into her ocean surf

For beneath the waves lays her sodden turf

The Atlantis carpet of ancestral bones

Remnants of ruined millennia covered in fallen moonstones

Nature’s guiding lodestones waiting to be atoned


https://youtu.be/4HhnBdOJygQ




Ivor Steven (c) December 2021

Birds Of A Feather

‘Birds Of A Feather’ is poem I wrote a few years ago, and I’m proudly reposting the words here to coincide with the “Indigenous Peoples Day” holiday in America on Monday 11th of October…
Below I have attached a song by Australia’s indigenous singer/songwriter Xavier Rudd … his famous classic “Spirit Bird” …

Birds Of A Feather


to colour us all tanned

black or white

didn’t seem right

even a humorous sight

maybe blue and green

would’ve been a better blight

and I’ve been told orange

is a preferred skin tone

best we have more colours

I’ll go buy the paint drums

toss them together

shaken, not stirred

into one huge cocktail dish

and use a whale-hair paint brush

we’ll all be covered the same

a faded colour purple

like tarnished rain clouds

not too dark

not too proud

not too white

just bright enough

to see the light


Please Note: The featured image above, is called ‘Four Birds’, by an Australian artist, Patsy Anguburra Lulpunda, at the Aboriginal Art Gallery





Ivor Steven (c) October 2021