When I Began, “It Was Just a Little Dream”

I am not sure how to explain my inner feelings within my heart today. I know Dad and Mum would be proud of my achievements, and that my Dear Carole would be crying tears of “Liquid Joy” for me … I received the most wonderful news today … my books “Tullawalla and Perceptions” have been accepted by the Geelong Regional Library, and will soon be available on Library’s bookshelves. A big thank you to Kim, the Collection Support & Information Services Officer at the Geelong Library, for accepting my books.
When I began writing (scribbling) poetry 22 years ago, not long after my first stroke, Leonard Cohen’s music and poetic lyrics had a huge influence on the emotions behind my words, and probably his song I have attached below, “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong”, still evokes my heart every time I listen to the incredibly beautiful lyrics.




It’s Just A Little Dream (Tullawalla, page 113)


I’ve been waiting inside
For that never-never ride
Wishing for that little shrug
To turn into a dream-time hug

I’ve been waiting outside
Trying not to hide
Wishing for that little smile
To travel one more mile

I’ve been waiting all-day
Calling out, please stay
Wishing for that little heartbeat
To lay down at my feet

I’ve been waiting all-night
For that one-way flight
Wishing for that little dove
To glide down from above

I’ve been waiting, seems forever
Crying quietly, oh, whatever
Wishing for that little embrace
To sleep with me, face to face








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://www.amazon.com.au/Perceptions-Ivor-Steven/dp/1387487302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RD27PWFI9JPS&keywords=perceptions+by+ivor+steven&qid=1676894211&s=books&sprefix=Perceptions%2Cstripbooks%2C1174&sr=1-1

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) February 2023

Birds on Fences, is in This Weeks Coffee House Writers Magazine

Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “Birds on Fences”, is in this week’s edition of Coffee House Writers Magazine. … please click on the link below to view my poem, at Coffee House Writers. >> https://coffeehousewriters.com/birds-on-fences/

Birds have commandeered my poetic imagination lately.






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://www.amazon.com.au/Perceptions-Ivor-Steven/dp/1387487302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RD27PWFI9JPS&keywords=perceptions+by+ivor+steven&qid=1676894211&s=books&sprefix=Perceptions%2Cstripbooks%2C1174&sr=1-1

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) February 2023

A Sapphire Blue Canopy

At Weekly Prompts, the Weekend Challenge is the word: Treasure. Please go over and visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here . Below, my poem “A Sapphire Blue Canopy”, is about the ‘treasure’ of our morning sky.




A Sapphire Blue Canopy


Above the shimmering horizon

Daylight’s glow resolutely grows

Like a rising ocean tide

Strutting over hot sand


The sunrise swaggers

Up through the clouds

Vividly vapourizing

Their hypnotic silver linings

And progressively exposes the sky’s

Sapphire blue canopy








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:

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) February 2023

Schoolyards and Lizards, is up at Spillwords Magazine.

I am ecstatic that my poem “Schoolyards and Lizards”, has been accepted and published in Spillwords Magazine today, and I am very grateful to the editor Dagmara for selecting my piece … Please go over and visit my poem at Spillwords and if you wish, leave a 💓 for my article, by clicking on this link >> https://spillwords.com/schoolyards-and-lizards/

Featured Image Above: Spillwords Magazine – 1536×813

My photo of, “Richard the Lizard, a wise and withered Wizard”



Schoolyards and Lizards




Enter Richard the lizard

A wise and withered wizard

Who stealthily slithered and delivered

His magic beyond pandemics and blizzards


Recreating a safe haven

An unsmeared and inured schoolyard

To be shared by the children

Without the National Guard









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:

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) February 2023

Throwback Friday, The Oven Sky, by Ivor Steven

Copied from my article on “Go Dog Go Cafe” today >> https://godoggocafe.com/2023/02/17/throwback-friday-the-oven-sky-by-ivor-steven/

It’s a hot 103’F here in Geelong this afternoon, so appropriately my Throwback Friday poem “The Oven Sky”, from February 2019, is my repost for today.

The Oven Sky




The summer flowers have faded and gone

Wilting leaves, look like the devils blight

My Calendar declares Autumn is almost here

But it’s still summer in the city

Remaining hot and dusty, here on my plot

All the dogs are panting, searching for a cool block

Singed birds have refused to fly in the oven sky

Today’s furnace, is the night’s unwanted heater

Dry rot is crumbling, under the burning sun

Fat rain drops have forgotten their landing spots

And the drought smiles at us with disdain

As we gasp and forlornly wait for a cool change









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:

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) February 2019

I’m a Walrus (a Tanka)



I am not insane

I have lost myself in pain

I know I’ts not time

I have the will to survive

I’m a walrus goo goo g’joob







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:

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) February 2023

A Fractured Birdbath

My back pain has been reasonably under control for 6 months, mainly due to my daily exercise routine and the two weekly visits to the Community Rehab Centre, but disappointingly I am again suffering from extreme back pain … I know I need to rest up for a few days and also keep my exercise program going, and hopefully I will be sufficiently good enough to be back to my wobbly best soon … so my time at the computer desk will be restricted and I will only do what is comfortable for me …

Featured Image Above: a photo my sister sent me this afternoon of her garden’s birdbath …


A Fractured Birdbath




I have been staggering

Sometimes stumbling

Beneath the hard rain

but I see no soft puddles

on my cobblestone path


My empty matchbox raft

Is snagged in my tubs gurgling drain

And out in the yard’s fractured birdbath

only charred snow flakes

and a dry feather-sponge remain

to soothe my back pain






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:

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) February 2023

Shadows Fall (a Musette) 




Don’t stop

Do not look back

Leaves drop




Shadows

Do not create

Meadows




Walk tall

Don’t look beyond

Nightfall







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:

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) February 2023

Waterfall

Today we went to Geelong’s picturesque “Buckleys Falls River Reserve” for our morning walkies and I took several photos using my iPhone and wrote the Haiku, attached below, while relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery all around us.

The river bank walk towards the waterfall

The Barwon river below the cascade

The gentle cascade at Buckleys Falls, and the Historic Paper Mill in the background

The Barwon River Reserve Picnic area, where I wrote the poem, and Frankie enjoying his bushwalk outing.

For a comprehensive article about the Buckleys Falls River Reserve, you may like to open this > https://waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-victoria-buckley-falls-geelong.htm




Waterfall (a Haiku)




Within urban sprawl

There is a gentle cascade

Scenic Buckleys Falls



Music/Video Below: Please enjoy this beautifully scenic performance by Sigur Rós, Live In Ásbyrgi, of Hoppípolla & Með blóðnasir …




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:

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) February 2023

Magpies and Butterflies





Magpies and Butterflies 


Our sad solar eye 

Is hiding behind a misty sky

Why do you cry? 


The golden age did not die 

Nor are we waving goodbye 

Despite the state of our pigsty 

Verbal bullshit deeper than knee-high 


One day soon, we will try 

To become nature’s ally 

Turn ourselves into the good guys 

With clip-on clean green bowties 

Then, save our magpies and butterflies 








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:

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) February 2023