The Universe of Love and Light (a Tanka)

The Crescent Moon and Venus 6.10pm, April 23rd




The Universe of Love and Light (a Tanka)




The Moon and Venus

Crystalize the twilight sky

Together they dance

She, in the crescent moon’s arms

Love unites the universe







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 2023

Afterglow

Put another log on the fire, while I travel to Tasmania with the two Philadelphia girls and three other Aussie cousins … Thursday 27th April – Monday 1st May


Afterglow 
  

 
 
After a frenetic time 

I feel like a burnt-out hollow log 

My charred core is clinging 

Onto nature’s dampened fringes 

Of Autumn leaves and fallen branches 

Where flora stealthily regenerates


 

Steadily, my diminished cavern 

Is growing wider 

And my ambient lantern 

Is glowing brighter 








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 2023

Surprise Surprise!

I posted the below “Faeries and Books” article way back in December 2019.


Faeries and Books


Cousin Maureen, Christine(from Go Dog Go Cafe’s website), cousin Terri





Faeries And Books

Australia is a far away land

Only reached by ship or plane

Today, I saw the Ben Franklin Bridge at my door

Distant fairies were knocking, a message for Ivor

From my Philadelphia cousins, Maureen and Terry

They went to a Pop-Up Shop, a writers library

To meet Christine, our chief of  ‘Go Dog Go Cafe’

Who signed a book for me, and a joint photo for my display

Cherished Thanksgiving gifts, to make my heart beat

Now I’m looking forward to my cousin delivering the treats






“On Sunday, at the start of their stay, my cousins (The Good Faeries) Maureen and Terri, presented me with the signed copy of “Smitten” that they had purchased for me way back in November 2019 … I had totally forgotten about the Antology and their gift was truly a very pleasant SURPRISE!”





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 2023

Throwback Friday, Time Travelers, original version – December 2017

For my readers, followers, friends and all those who doubt my connection to our unidentified Aliens, my “Mothership” landed for a visit today, to check-up on how I was handling the planet earth’s present dilemmas, and I’m afraid I had to report that the situation here is stagnant and quite grim. 




Time Travelers (Revised) 


Zap, a herculean lightning bolt precedes an astrological power surge

Traversing the cobalt skies, like gigantic electric eels

Vividly scoring chords, to hang our biblical words on

Like musical notes on lines of lost dreams and regrets


Soundwaves echoing, poles apart, going north, south, east, and west

Conducting iridescent aurora lights over our purple sunset

Vibrating quasars pulsating from deep inside outer space

Focusing on the huge magnetic Receiving Dish, signaling “An Arrival”


Recording a celestial traveler, singing with an angel’s voice

Resonating sweetly, like Handel’s, Messiah Hallelujah Chorus

Translated into the universal language of symphonic sound

Digitally simulcast and televised to the world’s population


A Super-Sonic Cosmic message to be heard loud and clear

“We have returned to your degraded planet earth

to again, bestow upon you, Peace and Goodwill

like we have done before, Eons of Millenniums ago”








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 2023

Hosting My Philadelphia Cousins, Part 2

Wednesday :
We visited the historic Paper Mill tourist area in Fyansford, and then the adjacent scenic Barwon River Valley and Buckley Falls

L-R. In the foreground, the viaduct channel that powered the Paper Mill — Maureen in front of a Bluestone storage shed — A pair of Tawny Frogmouth Owls

L-R. The girls and Frankie — A signpost deplaying some local aboriginal township names — Frankie and the girls

The Weir on the Barwon River above Buckley Falls, which fed water into the old Paper Mill viaduct — Frankie and Maureen

Wednesday, Late Afternoon:
I took Terri home for a much need rest and Maureen and I continued on our way to Corio Quay and Rippleside Beach.

At Corio Quay, the ‘Spirit Of Tasmania’ , the Bass Strait ferry from Geelong to Tasmania

Rippleside Beach, which is at the end of Geelong’s unique “Bollard Trail Walk” around Corio Bay.
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/bollards/article/item/8d250a1f01e3425.aspx

The promenade section of the trail that bridges a inlet … looking back to the waterfront area in front of the City of Geelong.

Below: a short video of our view across the Bay toward the City.


Wednesday, Laterer: At the Moorabool Valley Chocolate Cafe before we went home to arouse cousin Terri

Me and my ‘cheesecake’ — The model train/railway in front of the kitchen area.

At the end of the Cafe’s carpark there is a lookout over the Moorabool Valley

Thursday:
In the morning the girls had to pack ready for the next “cousin interchange”, cousin Dennise from Torquay at 2.30pm, and then we went down to the charming Pakington St.

The girls did some shopping and we returned to the ‘Box Office Cafe’ for Lunch.

The gorgeous West Park — the girls in my courtyard waiting to be picked up — goodbye to my dear cousins Maureen and Terri, for now, until next Thursday(27th) a group of us (6 cousins) are flying over to Tasmania for a 5-day tour.








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 2023

Hosting My Philadelphia Cousins

Monday: I took the girls to the “National Wool Museum” which is here in Geelong, but firstly they came with me to ‘visit’ Carole at the Geelong West cemetery (flowers for Carole’s birthday) …

Happy birthday Carole … Wool Museum, the girls up on the historic Auctioneer’s podium.

The girls, Terri and Maureen, shopping in the Museum’s souvenir shop

Tuesday: We toured the Bellarine Peninsula

Queenscliff: … the fascinating old buildings, The Grand Hotel, The Post Office, and the Library

Queenscliff: The girls found the old style shops very interesting

Queenscliff: An intriguing shop courtyard.

Queenscliff: the waterfront

Point Lonsdale: The lighthouse at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, called the “Rip”, the pier and bay beyond, and the infamous “Rip”.

Ocean Grove: From the promenade looking toward “The Bluff” at Barwon Heads… Frankie, Maureen, and Terri.

Ocean Grove: The surf beach, looking back toward Point Lonsdale … surf was up with lots of board riders.

Barwon Heads: From “The Bluff” lookout, L-R – overlooking the Victoria Park camping area, – looking across the Barwon River toward Ocean Grove, – looking down at the mouth of the Barwon River.

Time to head home … and at 7.30pm we enjoyed a wine and Barbeque dinner, relaxing under my courtyard Verandah…







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 2023

The Other Side of Yesterday

The Other Side of Yesterday


 

“Have I come to the end of the road”

I asked the forest’s guardian toad

He quietly replied

“There is always another way

like there is always another day”

 

Here, is not where I need to stay

I would like to cross the river today

To redefine the other side of yesterday

When life’s narrow causeway

Lead me to her underground doorway









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 2023

Perceptions, Photos From the Book Launch

The book launch day was a great success with a good attendance and many books were purchased and I gratefully signed them all. Thank you to Judy, Maureen, and Maja for sending me the photos.

I’m doing the introductory thank you’s with Frankie’s help …

A happy and appreciative audience

L-R: Cousin Terri(Philadelphia), Miffy(sister), cousin Nola(Geelong), me, cousin Maureen(Philadelphia)

R-Centre: Judy Rankin (editor/publisher) – Me and the books, Tullawalla & Perceptions

Kerri, the Cover Designer, there in spirit(Philadephia) – Maja, my guest reader

I think Frankie thought the show was all about him





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 2023

A Butterfly Sits on the Mushroom (a Tanka)




A Butterfly Sits on the Mushroom (a Tanka)


Imagine the scene

A butterfly fluttering

Atop the mushroom

A subconscious fantasy

My Autumn afternoon dream









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 2023

Throwback Friday, A Box of Old Crayons, by Ivor Steven

A poem I originally wrote in March 2021 and was Short-listed by Postive Words Magazine in their October 2022 Competition.


A Box of Old Crayons


Sometimes I stare at an empty table

And wonder if I would ever be able

To turn the fading power back on

I was unsure about another swansong

But each time I became lost and wrong

I found another box of old crayons


And from here and there, words did flow

Nurturing my dry mirages to regrow

Replenished by the thawing mountain snow

Nature’s river rejoined my ocean’s undertow

Again, colouring in my life of highs and lows










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 2023