This week’s Throwback Friday poem has been hidden away for five years and is not in any of my published books. I originally wrote the piece in August 2019 and “as is my way” I have revised the poem for today’s article.
Knots On Blue Paper Lines
Eyelids are heavy and tired Overcome by the dazzle of razzle My palms are open but empty Anxiously yearning to turn another page
This mind of mine feels worn and torn Time is constantly tick-tocking away Chiming between today and tomorrow While the poet’s pen is scrawling Knots on blue paper lines Hanging them out, to dry and die
My arms are quietly fluttering Searching for yesterday’s wings As I meander through my journey Pondering how much reality stings
“I think the lyrics of the ‘Airbourne Toxic Event’s’, song below, are profoundly outstanding and well worth reading as you listen to the tune.”
Why rest? Dawn is here again Another new day For my persistent pen
Why Rest? From every moment A second emerges** Time has no opponent
Why rest? The Age of Aquarius Has been and gone And the edge of beyond Is no longer precarious
** Fromevery moment a second emerges** … Borrowed from Robert Okaji’s poem, “Flame” out of his Chapbook, “From Every Moment A Second” >> https://robertokaji.com/2017/11/21/flame/
My poem ‘Destination’ is a “Writing between the lines” exercise for the May gathering of our Dome Poets group here in Geelong. I chose Leonard Cohen’s poem, ‘The Goal’ (attached below my poem), for my attempt to write a poem between each of his lines!
Over at Weekly Prompts, the Weekend Challenge is: Departure. Please visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here. Between here and there, “Destination” is a part of Departure
Destination, by Ivor Steven
The curtains are open The front door is ajar So, I can hear her sing From her distant star
I do not own much My soul is a gold mine I haven’t lost my touch My heart is kind
I share what I have I have hope and love Couldn’t stop the flood Couldn’t hold her glove
I walk alone I look content Regrets are few Despair ferments
I push on and on I do not complain I’m still alive I’m numb to the pain
No one asks No one knows About finality Under the snow
Today’s Throwback poem was written before I started my website, and is from June 2012, not long after Carole had passed (12 years ago today). For unexplainable reasons, the nostalgic piece has not found its way into any of my “3 books”. Maybe this unheralded poem will catalyze me to begin a 4th book!
Where’s That Dream
I have seen the universe through to the stars beyond There is a deep darkness, she is gone, she is gone I saw her smile crack from the pain There was a sorrow, she caught it tomorrow
I have seen the moon through the burning sun Where is that planet she is walking on? I saw her eyes crying tears of sand Where is that beach she is lying on?
I have seen the ocean through the broken coral Where is that ship, she is sailing on? I saw her body serene and frail Where are the ashes she is covered in?
I have seen the earth open, swallowing the multitude whole Where is that chasm she is falling through? I saw her gentle soul disappear out of sight Where is that secret haven she is flying to?
I have seen the land go through violent storms Where are the winds of time she is spread upon? I saw her heart, her love, for all of you and me Where is that dream, she has left us to find?
“Day One” a poem I wrote in April 2022 for ‘Anzac Day’ … Lest We Forget …
Day One
Before Day One
I wished upon a star That the milk-bar Was not too far away My life’s bread was crumbling My weathered hands were fumbling Witnessing the Last Supper was humbling
Day One
There, beyond the darkness Out in the universe From a million light-years away Under an alien’s microscopic frame We would all look the same
After Day One
I wished for the dust to settle Then waited for rusted gunmetal To mature into household kettles Whistling hallelujah to new sunflower petals
This graphic Music/Video by the Pogues “needs no more words”
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 