Throwback Friday, Where’s That Dream


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? 










Until Eyes Hear Soundis 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/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 3rd 2024

She’s A Rainbow





She’s A Rainbow

Today, I saw rainbows everywhere
On my poetry booklet
In my empty coffee cup
And my grey clouds
Donned rainbows too!

Thank you, my love
For thoughtfully
Brightening this day
With your ever-lasting smile







Until Eyes Hear Soundis 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/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Finding Her Universe (a Double Tanka)





Finding Her Universe
(a Double Tanka)

In the direction
Of heading home, I found North
Then veered to the East
Looking for the setting Sun
There, I told the Horizon

“I have lost my way
flying through your golden day”
“You’re not lost, my friend,
fly toward my brightest point
and her universe is yours”








Until Eyes Hear Soundis 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/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) May 2024

Love at First Sight 






Love at First Sight 


the morning clouds  

were stone-grey and low 

and their persistent showers  

kept swirling in


 

I was at the cemetery  

with pink roses for Carole

the lawn was damp and slippery  

I lost my balance and stumbled 

and fell against her headstone 

no damage was done, to her or me


 

then I remembered 

how I bumbled and stumbled  

when we first met 

a fortuitous blind date


 

despite my awkwardness 

we wholeheartedly shared  

“love at first sight” 







Until Eyes Hear Soundis 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/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) April 2024

Throwback Friday, Our River (a Haiku Revised)

Dedicated to my dear wife, to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday the 17th of April. I think my words say enough …    I’m proud and honoured to present this Haiku as my “Throwback Friday” post today. Twelve years have passed and I’m quite emotional this week, and I apologise to fellow writers, and readers for not blogging and commenting with my usual zest.


Our River (a Haiku, Revised)


True love ebbs and flows

Hidden rocks etched our river

Stones soften to sand







Until Eyes Hear Soundis 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/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) April 2024

Melting My Heart (a Tanka)

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







Until Eyes Hear Soundis 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/

Lulu Books: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ivor-steven-and-derrick-knight/perceptions/hardcover/product-2pwqe4.html?q=Perceptions+by+Ivor+Steven&page=1&pageSize=4

OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com



Ivor Steven (c) April 2024

White Stone (a Senryu)

Timeless white headstones

Guarding the ground of old souls

Loved ones’ final home





“Headstones”, Lyrics, Lake Of Tears

Past the forest of the flies of fire
Beyond the waters of shimmering tears
By a fire they stand
And they whisper my name

Now I seek upon the night
Small fragments of moonlight

Up the hill the headstones lie
Up the hill the reapers watching eye
Up the hill the headstones lie
Headstones…

In the circle of stones dressed in ivy
By the garden of the serene flowers
And the spirits are there
Whispering my name

Now I seek upon the night
Small fragments of moonlight

Up the hill the headstones lie
Up the hill the reapers watching eye
Up the hill the headstones lie
Headstones…




Ivor Steven (c) March 2024

Throwback Friday, Beyond Imagination

I wrote “Beyond Imagination” 5 years ago, while I was in rehab, recovering from my 3rd stroke, and somehow preparing my body for a long and arduous trip to Philadelphia. The attached poem below, “Dreams of the Heart” is a piece I wrote in Philadelphia, in May 2019.


Beyond Imagination (Revised)


This year (2019), after Easter

I’m flying north

Across the Pacific Ocean

Towards a place called America


From the west to the east coast

Landing at the Big Apple

To enjoy a five-day tourist bite

Then a train from Grand Central Station

For a debut meeting with my cousins in Philadelphia

My Dad’s far-away relatives


I shall rejoice in the reunion of our family’s spirits

Oh yes, my lifetime “Dream of the Heart” **

A dubious occurrence just two months ago

But now a reality beyond the realms of my imagination




** “Dreams of the Heart”

I cannot walk the continents
Like the intrepid Marco Polo

But my feet have felt the sands of time
Pass between my toes

I have not sailed the high seas
Like the courageous Christopher Columbus

But my body has bathed
In an ocean full of kind hearts

I’m yet to fly in space
Like the brave Neil Armstrong

But I have reached for the stars
And touched my soul’s dreams










Ivor Steven (c) February 2024

A Mirror Image of You, is in This Week’s Coffee House Writers Magazine

Hello dear readers and followers, I am now writing for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “A Mirror Image of You”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. …
To Read my poem, please click on the link below to visit the articleat Coffee House Writers Magazine.
>> A Mirror Image Of You – Coffee House Writers






Ivor Steven (c) December 2023

Throwback Friday, Just a Call Away

A poem from my WP archives (March 2018), that I’ve tinkered with, and rehashed a number of times over the years. The original poem was written years before Carole passed (12 years ago), so the wording is quite ambiguous and introverted, and I’ll leave it up to your imaginations to interpret my thoughts …


Just A Call Away (Revised #2)


Waiting, when is she to summon me

Pondering what might have been

Writing to one and all, a finale

Pen to paper, wanting her to see

How I survived the Tasman Sea

While searching for her freedom tree


Wondering if it’s a selfish sin

To wear my second skin

Under an invisible coat of tin








Ivor Steven (c) December 2023