Great News. Yesterday I received an acceptance for my submission to Cadence: Life’s Poetic Rhythms, an upcoming anthology (for Spring 2024), from Prolific Pulse Press.
They’re open to “more submissions” until the 31st of January, so I encourage all my poet friends to offer the Editor, Lisa, some joyful poetry. Details via this link >> https://www.prolificpulse.com/
Featured Image Above: A photo collage of my “Flowers in the Sky”
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
Over at Weekly Prompts, the Colour Challenge for January is: Purple . Please visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here
Please Note: All attached photos of ‘me’, were taken by, ‘my best friend’
My Lounge Suite (a Haiku), Written by, Frankie
Come sit beside me
Scratch my ear, and shake my paw
My home is your home
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/
OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
Today’s Throwback poem was written when I was on a tour in China, and here we were in Beijing, at an ancient family home (500 years old) being entertained by the lady of the house playing traditional Chinese music on her antique Guzheng instrument.
“Zither”, was the winning Haiku in a Haiku competition run by Vita Brevis Poetry Magazine, in November 2018
Nov 2, 2018. Editor, Brian Geiger. For those of you who didn’t know, I hosted an October haiku contest a couple weeks ago. I’m happy to reveal our winner: Submitted by Ivor Steven. Zither
Zither (a Haiku)
Chinese courtyard sounds
Guzheng music gently strums
Beijing alley hums
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
Shadowed Ground
I look up and wonder why
The moon is fearfully hiding
In the fading twilight sky
As he forlornly looks down
Upon our shadowed ground
Knowing our King of Peace
Wears a shrouded crown
Dauðalogn Translation: “Calm of death”
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
A Summer Storm at the Cafe
The second day of the year
And our volatile summer is here
Things remain the same in our sphere
The morning was sunny and warm
But the day soon transforms
And the afternoon’s dark storm clouds
Were our thunderous shrouds
Frankie cuddles up near
As Thor’s hammer rings loud and clear
Video Below, Sigur Ros, performing a 3 minute section of their song “Von”, (which means “Hope”)
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/
OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
As The Sun Sinks Down
The New Year’s Eve sun
Is perpetually the finale one
Sadly
The golden eye sinks down
Upon our war-torn towns
Sadly
Carrying a worried and worn-out frown
From dressing over the world’s
Shredded wedding gowns
And wondering which old clown
Will wear tomorrow’s battered crown
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/
OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) January 2024
The New Year is Here, or, Growing Up Too Early (a Tanka)
“What’s the right season”
The small summer mushroom asks
“Am I too early
Ouch, this midday sun is hot
I need autumn’s cooling clouds”
Vaka, English translation; day before, evening before, eve
Ivor Steven (c) January 1st, 2024
The Summer Book Fair will showcase Indie Authors from across Victoria and help you find new favourite Authors. FREE entry to all visitors. And I will be one of the “Indie Authors” at the Book Fair
14 Jan 2024, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Community Hall, Barwon Heads, 77 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads VIC 3227, Australia
The Book Reality Experience presents the Barwon Heads Indie Author Book Fair, which celebrates stories from children’s books through to horror, sci-fi, fantasy and every genre in between. We can’t wait to welcome you to this one-day event filled with Author Exhibits, readings and the opportunity to talk directly with independently published authors… some of whom will become your new favourites. FREE entry to all visitors.
Click here to learn more about the authors in attendance.
Featured Image Above: The 63 Degrees Cafe, which is across the road from the Box Office Cafe
A happy Frankie, and the little Finch … The Book Bird message.
The New Year is Near (a Tanka)
I’m across the road
At a different cafe
It is New Year’s Eve
Today the Box Office closed
Early for the holiday
Ivor Steven (c) December/January 2023/2024
Featured Image Above: A photo of the Geelong Library, affectionately known as “The Dome”
Seven days ago I posted a poem called “Stars”, a piece about “The Dome Poets” Christmas Party ‘brunch’, and where we were each to bring a short poem about our poetry group (Secret), which was then folded and drawn from a hat, and recited by the drawer.
Today I am presenting a poem from that Day, by a fellow ‘Dome Poet’, Emma, and the piece was a Christmas Ode about ‘me’ , and Emma kindly gave me her poem, “The Wordmaster” (attached below) when the party concluded …
A Poem About Me, by Fellow Dome Poet, Emma.
By, Emma Jones, The Dome Poetry Group, 6/12/2023
Ivor Steven (c) December 2023
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 