The Last Chicane (Revised) 

“The Last Chicane” is a poem I wrote in October 2019, and this morning I reworded several lines …





The Last Chicane (Revised)


 

I have been climbing every rung 

Even the broken ones unsung 

I have played every sad song 

Even when the words were wrong 


I saw my bird fly away 

Even though her nest stays here today 

I have praised my swan’s eternal fight 

Even through her turbulent flights 


I am listening to the bells chiming 

Even above lyrics that are not rhyming 

I am beginning to flutter my wings again 

Even after missing the last chicane 

I am preparing for the next equestrian 

Even though I am a lost pedestrian 






Ivor Steven (c) September 2022

A Nomad (Revised)

A poem I originally wrote in July 2019, and today I am posting this revised version.



A Nomad (Revised)


I’m writing a letter to yesterday’s nomad

The drifter of my dreams, alone and sad

My nomad’s world is flowing wider

Broken trees floating on a flooding river


These empty words, today seem drier

The receding waters, now a wet season’s Indian giver


This final message, I falsely send

We shake hands, smile, our eyes pretend

My heart sinks, my nomad boards the next boat

Noah’s ark departs, I walk home, alone, in my raincoat






Ivor Steven (c)  September 2022

Out There, Right Now






Hobbling along

A tear sodden path

I stumble

Beneath heavy morning clouds


Shaken

I feel the shadow

Of her unfortunate life

Pass over me

From beyond the atmosphere

Of this disheartening world


Out there, somewhere

In our universe

Her eternal star

Somehow, right now

Illuminates my soul






Ivor Steven (c) August 2022

Towards the Dark (my Nightmare)

A nightmarish hypothetical poem and some of the words are from comments I made on Bart’s and Sadje’s recent posts .. > https://bartbarkerpoet.com/2022/07/15/fraiku-first-lights/
.. > https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2022/07/13/one-liner-strength/

Featured Image: Photo from the JWST


Towards the Dark (my Nightmare)


One day soon 

After mining the earth dry 

There will no more rubies 

No more diamonds in the sky


Will our silver spoons

Ever stop digging

Towards the dark side of our moon


 

Tonight, we do not need

Our world to be darker



We can learn to survive 

When life teaches us 

The value of being alive






Ivor Steven (c) July 2022

Nature’s Heartbeat



Misty rain streaks down my cheeks

And gentle droplets play life’s symphony on my roof

Reminding my soul that I exist, so meek

Humbled by the sound of nature’s heartbeat

I shall continue to follow her melodious proof


The dark clouds part during my day

And the lifting fog pours me a rainbow beam

Reminding my soul, why I love, and why I stay

Honoured by the strength of nature’s heartbeat

I shall continue to follow my dream






Ivor Steven (c) July 2022

My Kite And Bike (Revised)



Here I am in this ancient town

Climbing the local Snowy Mountains

Standing in the world’s greenest paddock

Flying my yellow and blue kite

On the thinnest of worn threads

My kite is soaring higher and higher


Toward the bold clouds, thick and soft

Where pristine snowflakes abound

All bright and shiny white

Smooth enough to ride my silver bike on

Peddle my way over today’s slippery black-ice

And splash through the heights of tomorrow







Ivor Steven (c) May 2022

Under The Snow

A special poem I wrote, after I’d taken my Lady to hospital for the last time, on the day of her 65th birthday. ten years ago. Hello Carole, and I wonder if you still wonder that I wonder, wishing upon your celestial star…….


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 aeon.

Birthdays, before we are born, after we are gone.

Birthdays, hanging on by a breath.

Birthdays, nailed to a cross ’til death.

What’s it all mean to be alive and cry.

What’s it all mean to live and to die.





Ivor Steven. (c)  May 2022