Drowning in Words


“Surfacing from the sea of edits — Frankie keeps watch while I wrestle the waves of words.”



Drowning in Words


Emerging from a sea of black and white,
Normal fonts floating to the right,
Italic letters cascading to the left —
Manuscript time has been my head chef.

The last race on the card is over.
Proofreading is suffering from overexposure.
My foggy mind is resting under the cloud cover,
And I’m recuperating on a bed of clover.




“Proofreading fatigue meets sonic flood — Amanda Palmer’s ‘Drowning in the Sound’ echoes the emotional undertow of my own ‘Drowning in Words.’”




Ivor Steven ©  November 2025

The Village Green (a Tanka)


“Then, contented with my state,
Where true pleasure may be seen,
Let me envy not the great,
On a cheerful village green.”
… from “The Village Green”, a poem by Jane Taylor.



The Village Green (a Tanka)


There’s something calming
About watching birds flying
At the village green
Among the picnickers and
Through our springtime’s shady trees








Ivor Steven (c) November2025

A Warm and Wet Spring Day




A Warm and Wet Spring Day


Our ever-changing spring is here again.
We’ve been walking between affectionate raindrops,
dodging the refilling, familiar puddles,
and watching Mudlark’s waddle in the ponds

We’ve appreciated nature’s flirtatious ways
refreshing our frazzled faculties.






Ivor Steven ©  November 2025

Today’s Screenplay, or, Reggae and Crochet


“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” ~ Robert Frost




Today’s Screenplay, or, Reggae and Crochet



Needing a manuscript breakaway
Talking with the crows at midday
Was a positive and relaxing way
To invigorate my book’s soporific survey

Wishing for a secretary or “Girl Friday”
Then I could sit back and replay
More “Bob Marley” reggae
Or even try my hand at crochet








Ivor Steven (c) October 2025

River of Dreams

Dear friends and fellow poetry lovers,

As midnight continues to be my muse, I wanted to share that my blogging rhythm will be slowing for a few weeks. I’m currently immersed in shaping my fourth poetry manuscript, Time Hears No Sound—a project close to my heart.

During this time, my posts may be fewer and more sporadic, but rest assured, I’m still listening, dreaming, and crafting behind the scenes. Thank you for your continued support, patience, and presence. I look forward to returning with new verses and reflections once this chapter is complete.

Warmly, Ivor


“A quiet reflection on wisdom, war, and the river’s patient memory—where even crows seem to carry questions.”



River of Dreams

I’ve been listening to the crows-
the smart ones, who should know.

Now I’m watching the ancient river flow
around the land’s long, sandy bend.

Do they know where, and when
the current’s undertow
comes to a becalmed end?







Ivor Steven (c) October 2025