


Lullaby Rhyme
Once upon a time
There was a mum called Esther
In my heart
There was no one better
And now her soul
Sings me a lullaby rhyme
Ivor Steven (c) May 2025



Lullaby Rhyme
Once upon a time
There was a mum called Esther
In my heart
There was no one better
And now her soul
Sings me a lullaby rhyme
Ivor Steven (c) May 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, the 9th of May, here in Australia, the day of my mother’s birthday and my wife’s funeral day, and it’ll be Mother’s Day on 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

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Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)

Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)

Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven © May 2025
“This wall, built of bricks
Breaks my spirit and my bones
Life’s hurdles are hard” … This Wall (a Senryu May 3rd, 2025)
Arriving and Leaving, Visiting Her
arriving
via the cemetery gate
holding her flowers
hands quivering
heart quickens
bowing silently
reminiscing
smiling
wondering why
closing time
and visiting time
co-exist in life
leaving
via the cemetery path
renewing goodbyes
crying silently
breathing slowly
smiling
wondering why
closing time
and visiting time
co-exist in life
Ivor Steven (c) May 3rd, 2025
Thanks For the Dance, or My Foot Went Numb (a Rhyming Tu-aiku)
My fingers are thumbs
I cannot pick up the crumbs
Nor pluck the ripe plums
My right foot went numb
Her eternal dance did come
Life is a hum-drum
Ivor Steven (c) May 3rd, 2025
Today’s Throwback poem was written before I started my website and is from June 2012, not long after Carole passed away (13 years ago tomorrow).
For unexplainable reasons, the nostalgic piece has not found its way into any of my “3 books”. Maybe this unheralded poem will prompt me to complete my fourth 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?

.

Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)

Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)

Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven © May 2025
Thirteen years ago today, it was the “Time” that I made a “heart-stopping decision”
Did Your Heart Stop Too?
Did you cry too?
When the doctors told you
She was not going to recover
Did they ask you too?
About what you already knew
It was time
To flick the switch
And dim her light
Did your heart stop, too?
Knowing
You had emptied her shoes
Did you sleep there too?
During those infinite days of blue
Softly holding her hand
And not letting go
Did you weep too?
Blankly alone
In her full room
Waiting
For her last silent breath

.

Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)

Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)

Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven © April 2025
Today, the 17th of April, is Carole’s birthday (deceased May 3rd, 2012)
The Journey Home (a Haiku)
Sometimes our journey
Crumbles like dry honeycomb
Without a queen bee
Ivor Steven (c) April 17th, 2025
A special poem I wrote, after I’d taken my Lady to the hospital for the last time, on the day of her 65th birthday, thirteen years ago.
Hello Carole, time goes by, and my heart has not moved …
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 eon.
Birthdays, before we are born, after we are gone.
Birthdays, hanging on by a breath.
Birthdays, nailed to a cross ’til death.
What does it all mean to be alive and cry?
What does it all mean to live and to die?
Ivor Steven © April 2025


Happy Birthday Carole
Melting My Heart (a Tanka)
The white fluffy clouds
Cannot stop the Autumn sun
From melting my heart
Around her bygone birthdays
Alas, the years keep passing
Ivor Steven (c) April 17th 2025
Today’s Throwback Friday poem is from July 2021.
Beyond Dark, There is Light (Revised)
Looking back
What do you see?
Tall mountains and a dark sky that surround me
Looking back
What do you see?
Bottomless wells and a deep river inside me
Looking back
What do you see?
Melted snowflakes and icy tears that drown me
Looking back
What do you see?
Treasured memories and a brave soul that revives me

.

Until Eyes Hear Sound
Lulu Books >> Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)

Perceptions:
Amazon >> Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >> Perceptions (lulu.com)

Tullawalla:
Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books
OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven © April 2025