Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “I Wish, I Was Green”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. … please click on the link below to read my poem, at Coffee House Writers.
>> https://coffeehousewriters.com/i-wish-i-was-green/
Ivor Steven © September 2022
I Am Exhausted (a Tanka)
Beyond the Ashes
Memories and rhymes survived
Seeds were implanted
Dreams of the heart were written
Afterward, exhaustion dwelled
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
On Weekly Prompts this weekend, the challenge word Glimmer. Please go over and visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here And is a poem I wrote back in January, that I thought to be suitable piece for the prompt …
Hello dear readers, I had a difficult time writing this poem, as my thoughts were jumbled and confused, but eventually after toiling away, I think the piece gradually developed into something resembling my initial dreamy thoughts … And then I could not make up my mind on the title, between “A Shining” or “One More Spoonful” ..
One More Spoonful
I was reading my never ending story
about crossing the rivers of time
and climbing a mountain of dreams
then along the crest of a misty waterfall
a mysterious rainbow appeared at dawn
as a shimmering glimmer of hope
and above my unreachable horizon
there was a shining
tempting me to turn around
and resume paddling upstream
to where I could savour
a spoonful of life’s cream
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
My old school-case from sixty-years ago, full of “Tullawalla Books”
My house has been invaded by “Tullawalla Books” … come over and join the party, and lets celebrate … my long awaited SELF-PUBLISHED new edition is NOW available
… contact me via my web-email >> ivorrs20@gmail.com The book is only $20.00 AU plus postage & handling. If you are interested in purchasing a book, send me an email, I’ll send a PayPal Invoice out to you.
This Fence (Tullawalla, page 33)
I am quickly nearing this fence.
An obstacle of a lifetime I see.
And from my side of this fence,
The hurdle is too high for me.
And on the other side of this fence,
There seems nowhere to land or flee.
I have arrived at this fence,
Above the pickets, just grey sky.
And on my side of this fence,
The grass is brown and dry.
On the other side of this fence,
The grass is green, but still I cry.
How am I to clear this fence,
There seems nowhere to go or get by.
This fence, all built of stones,
Breaks my spirit, and all my bones.
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
“The Last Chicane” is a poem I wrote in October 2019, and this morning I reworded several lines …
The Last Chicane (Revised)
I have been climbing every rung
Even the broken ones unsung
I have played every sad song
Even when the words were wrong
I saw my bird fly away
Even though her nest stays here today
I have praised my swan’s eternal fight
Even through her turbulent flights
I am listening to the bells chiming
Even above lyrics that are not rhyming
I am beginning to flutter my wings again
Even after missing the last chicane
I am preparing for the next equestrian
Even though I am a lost pedestrian
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
Recently Ryan Stone [https://daysofstone.wordpress.com/] introduced me to a new poem format Musette, and today I am presenting my first attempt at writing a Musette.
“Musette”
three verses
first line – 2 syllables
second line – 4 syllables
third line – 2 syllables
rhyme scheme – a/b/a c/d/c e/f/e
title reflects poems content
A Steep Slide (a Musette)
I creep
Down the steep slide
I weep
Betrayed
I hide and shake
Afraid
I crawl
Away from shame
And bawl
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
At my ‘Dome Poetry Group’ (here in Geelong) the prompt is to write a poem (any form) inspired by a phrase on the last page of a book. (Reveal the source.) I chose “Another Yellow Door” by C Flaherty Brown, and below is the last phrase in her book, followed by my ‘Fictional Poem’, Miles From Home.
Miles From Home
Today
I went left, instead of right
No matter what direction
Or decision I choose
At the end of day
There will be night
My time to rest
And remain out of sight
Tomorrow
I shall take the backroads
Miles away from my troubled life
Miles and miles
Beyond those evil eyes of strife
Tonight
I will sleep under the stars
With my loyal companion
Now
He gives me that inquisitive stare
“Don’t look at me like that
I know mate, I know
I should never have left the wife”
Ivor Steven © September 2022
My Faerie writing book and the words I was penciling today
Salvation Sunday (a Birthday poem for Kylie)
A lazy Sunday afternoon
We are both resting
Frankie is napping/snoring
As usual he lets me share the bed
I am penciling these words
Into my Faerie writing book
A well used birthday gift
From my adorable niece Kerri
She lives in Philadelphia
Here I am in Geelong
We are worlds apart
But joined at the heart
We were chatting earlier
The time difference still confuses me
Yesterday was her niece’s birthday
Kylie is now fourteen
Wow, time flies, she was only ten
When I last saw her
Happy birthday dear Kylie
I miss your gorgeous smile
Hey! I miss all you guys
Cheers from uncle Ivor
Hugs and kisses to everyone
Over there in Philadelphia
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
I think it was before Easter the last time I had Frankie groomed, and today he was definitely overdue for a haircut. He was well behaved and a thorough gentleman throughout …
Frankies Spring Haircut
At first he wasn’t sure, but he was soon back to majestic self
Frankie sitting in the park and roaming in the park
Frankie waiting at the front door and Frankie goes to bed
Yes Frankie … It’s a tough life being a Doggie!!
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
At Weekly, the Wednesday Challenge is the word: TREES. Please go over and visit their fabulous by clicking on >> Here. My poem is not directly about trees, but I believe that in one way or another, life here on earth is connected to our “Trees”
Featured Photo: by Derrick Knight, and a sincere thank you to Derrick for permitting me to use his fabulous image here in collaboration with my poem. This is now our “41st” collaborative article, and our joint book “Perceptions” is now in the hands of my editor/publisher (Judy, from Jaymah Press), and hopefully, the book will be in print before Christmas. >> https://derrickjknight.com/
Horse Before the Cart
Bitumen road
Horse and cart
Centuries apart
Unopened loads
Dreams of tomorrow
Library books unborrowed
Ancient ode
Horse before the cart
Centuries before the Ark
Ivor Steven (c) September 2022
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 