Alex Steven (Dad), February 5th 1924 – July 3rd 2015
A Weary Old Plumber, I’m Thinking of You
(Happy Birthday, Dad)
One hundred and two years ago
When dark became day
And the sun shone on you
Did the gods of the world know
How lucky they were
That your sphere of love
Was all-encompassing
Ivor Steven © February 2026
A Family Christmas (a Haiku)
So this is Christmas
With family and doggies
Rejoicing abounds
Ivor Steven (c) December 2025
Cousin Lynn and Robin with Mungo and Kelly
Cousin Maureen and doggies Z-Z and Co-Co
Cousin Penny, and then Dave, Penny, and Ivor
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Here I am on a Jet Plane, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. Therefore today’s Throwback Friday poem is a very appropriate finale piece, to coincide with my amazing adventures in Canada over the past 21 days.
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It Was Time To Leave (Revised)
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It’s time to tidy up my mess
Clean up the room and get dressed
It’s time to pack my suitcase
Fill the travel bag and vacate this place
It’s time to put on my famous rocker shoes
And walk away from this dream come true
It’s time to say heartfelt goodbyes
To these wonderful Canadian guys
It’s time for final hugs and kisses
Sad farewells and best wishes
It’s time for my usual emotional tears
Separate myself from these every day cheers
It’s time to flyaway from a land of berries and fairies
Leave this magical world of faraway families
It’s time to say a million thank you’s
For making my stay a Really Real great do
It’s time for me to travel back home
With glorious memories of this magical Astrodome
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
An awesome day with my Canadian family (cousins) at the incredible Butchart Gardens.
My cousins, Reeny, Lynn, and Penny. The family photo, Maureen, Robin, Lynn, Ivor, Penny, and Dave
Barbara (our travelling companion from Wainwright), Maureen. Me with my tall cousins, Penny, and Lynn
My favourite blooms from the rose garden
The three Sturgeon’s fountain
The spectacular Sunken Garden
Totem poles in the garden
The Italian garden
The jade Japanese Garden
A giant redwood tree
This article is becoming long and “boring”
Leaving the gorgeous Butchart Gardens I walked past a ‘Turbo Snail’
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
Frankie is “Nine” today, and he has been my owner for exactly 4 years.
Ivor Steven (c) July 2025
Beyond Mount Kosciuszko
The timeless winter breeze
Is slowly defrosting me.
Quietly, through the misty silhouettes,
And from behind the fairy bushes,
I shall tentatively spread my wings
To find out if my shadows
Can fly high above the local meadows.
Once I am airborne,
I should be able to see Melbourne,
And from there – who knows how far
My dreams will go?
Beyond Mount Kosciuszko,
Across the Pacific Ocean,
Toward Vancouver and Nanaimo.
Ivor Steven (c) July 2025
Remembering “My Women”, my dear wife, Carole, and my amazing mother, Esther …
Thank you, Bella, for encouraging me to post this poem today …
>> https://thoughtsnlifeblog.com/2025/03/07/an-ode-to-women-in-honour-of-internation-womens-day/
My Women
After I had left the hem
Without women
I could not have survived my time
I would not have braved the climb
Ladies, you are my rhyme
My mother’s of thyme
Helping me roll away the stone
Maintaining these old bones
Repairing the bridges, I have burnt
Reciting the messages, I have learnt
Cheering from the sidelines
Supporting my broken designs
Women of My Rhymes
Mothers for a lifetime
Ivor Steven (c) March 2025
Alex Steven (Dad), February 5th 1924 – July 3rd 2015
Under a Clear Blue Sky, I’m Thinking of You
(Happy Birthday Dad)
One hundred and one years ago
When the summer sun
Arose for you
Did the afternoon moon?
Shine on you too
Ivor Steven (c) February 5th 2025
Me, sitting on Mum’s knee. … L to R, Carole, Aunties Elizabeth & Pearl, & Grandma
Grandma, and her 3 daughters. … My mum (left) and her lady relatives
G’day readers, It’s Friday morning here in Australia, the day after my mother’s birthday and Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Today’s Throwback Friday poem is, from September 2019.
The Woman In Me
Inside every man
There is a woman
The mother of his soul
The lady of his heart
The kindness in his touch
The passion in his blood
The woman who fostered
The way he shows love
Until Eyes Hear Sound: is NOW Available From,
Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven/until-eyes-hear-sound/paperback/product-jeev886.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Jaymah Press: https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/product-page/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/
OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) May 2024
At ‘The Dunes’ cafe/restaurant, Ocean Grove, near Mum and Dad’s old family home, “Tullawalla”.
Centenarians
Today
We had a family remembrance party
For our dear departed parents
They were both born in 1924
One hundred years ago!
Today
We gathered to celebrate
Their love and loyalty for each other
And to proudly honour
The love and incredible support
We all unconditionally received
Ivor Steven (c) May 2024
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 