Dawn sunshine awakens my weary bones
And I hear the early birds are singing
About my day’s visions of flying towards home
Then I remember the tune and start humming
As the windless sky beckons my ocean spirit
It’s time to travel beyond these noisy urban alarms
Sit upon cool sand, and listen to the waves lyrics
Rhythmically roll into my waiting arms
Ivor Steven (c) July 2020
Over the last two weeks I’ve had the pleasure of observing a creative piece of street-artwork evolving on a corner shop wall, at nearby the ‘Box Office Cafe’, where I like to enjoy a coffee and cake… The wonderful painting, inspired me to write this little poem.
A Brick Wall Comes Alive
There, before my smiling eyes
An old brick wall comes alive
A colourful display, growing and flowing
There’s flowers and faces glowing
Within artistic creations of finesse
Upon every brush-strokes progress
The facade’s sharing her party dress
And she’s dancing in the streets to impress
Oh.. At Carolyn’s request, here’s pic’s of my coffee & cakes….
Ivor Steven (c) July 2020
Back in 1972, I was a great fan of the band, ‘Uriah Heep’, and I’d play the song “Wizard” on my record player, every chance I had. The music was magical, and the lyrics superbly depicted the feelings within my heart …. and my visions of a more peaceful and harmonious world, might soon be achieved……. That was nearly 50 years ago, and I vividly remember the song, but I’m afraid the world has forgotten the “Lyrics”
Wizard (a Haiku)
Mysterious dreams
Magicians run amok
Wizards remember
Ivor Steven (c) July 2020
The Wizard. Lyrics by Uriah Heep
He was the wizard of a thousand kings
And I chanced to meet him one night wandering
He told me tales and he drank my wine
Me and my magic man kind of feeling fine
He had a cloak of gold
And eyes of fire
And as he spoke I felt a deep desire
To free the world of its fear and pain
And help the people to feel free again
Why don’t we listen to the voices in our hearts
‘Cause then I know we’d find we’re not so far apart
Everybody’s got to be happy
Everyone should sing
For we know the joy of life
The peace that love can bring
So spoke the wizard in his mountain home
The vision of his wisdom means we’ll never be alone
And I will dream of my magic night
And the million silver stars that guide me with their light
Peaceful is the dawn
Morning frost is hovering
Sunshine cuts the ice
Ivor Steven (c) July 2020.
Paradise Beach
on and on we must go
we the mighty who dare
to venture above and beyond
our drab old vaudeville show
join the journey of discovery
out there in search of the Milky Way
swim on our universe’s distant shores
where there’s sure to be a stellar star
completely made of compassion
held together by oceans full of love
our beach, a united paradise
one nation, within our reach
Ivor Steven (c) July 2020
Blue Yonder (A Dual Haiku)
Travellers back pack
The journey man’s companion
Australian true blue
On and on we go
We the mighty do venture
Above and beyond
Ivor Steven (c) June 2020.
Today I was struggling for a title and the wording of my 2nd line, but after a chat with a friend of mine, a well known poet, who’s, “Living on the equator and longing for snow”. and she inadvertently inspired me, to come up with the title, and complete my second line….
There’s a Penguin In My Courtyard
my courtyards a frozen pond
cold enough for a penguin
shrouds of ice lay upon the ground
and a crisp sharpness cuts the sound
of the birds unthawed songs of silence
as fernery fronds curl in glaciated defiance
and in the corner there’s a frostbitten spider’s web
while frigidly rigid is the succulent flower bed
above there’s the sun’s ambient saffron disc
the dawn’s prediction that golden days do exist
Ivor Steven (c) June 2020
The Weekend Challenge on Weekly Prompts is, Scenic. Please go over and visit their fabulous site by clicking >> Here … Below is my photographic article in response to the prompt…
My Scenic Saturday
After writing my daily poem in the morning, I then pottered around in my courtyard garden, however my fingers were becoming frozen from the frosty dawn, and I decided to delay the potting, until after going out for my usual Saturday coffee and cafe visit, to the scenically rural Box Office Cafe. The above photos are from my lunchtime visit today. The winter sun was starting to warm me up, and on viewing my photos, you’ll understand, (maybe), why I frequent this quaint and rustic establishment….
It was definitely a lot warmer when I arrived home. Last week a friend of mine made me two wall hanging racks out old wooden pallets. I hung them up during the week, and today was my day to fill the two pallets with plants… The below photos, were taken after I finished the potting and planting…. and I’m very pleased with the gorgeous ”scenic” outlook of my small but vibrant courtyard…
Ivor Steven (c) June 2020
Here I’ve written a Haiku Trio, a poem consisting of three haiku stanzas
*Please note, the above photos, are scanned images, from the book in my personal library, called “Close To Nature”, by John Landy
Under Pressure
Bitter is the clown
A broken pepper stays down
Anger’s every town
Flames leap all around
Burning bridges to the ground
Hatred is the sound
High above the clouds
Songs echo under pressure
Screaming for new air
Ivor Steven (c) June 2020.
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The above photos, are of mine & dad’s, colourful and spectacular Day Lily, which is now in full bloom. Personally this plant is the King of my garden, and he was originally my dad’s pride and joy, and I rescued the Day Lily from my parents homestead in Ocean Grove, (“Tullawalla”), and of course I enjoy a strong spiritual connection with this lovely flower, especially this time of the year, as the Day Lily blooms to coincide with the anniversary of my dad’s birthday, eleven days ago…..
Day Lily, Love and Another Year
Upon my pillow I sleep.
Good morning, I do peek.
From the cushion of my dreams.
To my yard’s radiating beams.
Of blushing red hues, oh so bright.
You flower during the night.
And after cuddling the dew.
You open up your scenic view.
Blooming, standing proud and steep.
Vivid perfection at my feet.
A glorious Lily, like wings of a dove.
And by day you air your love.
Ivor Steven (c) Feb 2020
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 