Poetry/Australia – Page 81 – Ivor.Plumber/Poet

Throwback Friday, Finality, A Night To Remember, by Ivor Steven.

Copied from my article on “Go Do Go Cafe” this morning.
>> http://godoggocafe.com/2023/03/10/throwback-friday-finality-a-night-to-remember-by-ivor-steven/

Late night I attended the ‘lowercase’ Open Mic event, at the Analogue Academy, which for the past 10 years has been a cultural “home” for the young artistic generatation in the Geelong area. Sadly the Analogue Academy is closing down very soon and will be sorely missed by all concerned. Appropriately I recited my poem “Finality”, a piece I wrote for a lowercase open mic night 4 years ago.

Please Note: The Photos attached above; were taken by “Me” from the stage/platform, just before I began to recite my poem, and everyone smiled for their fabulous group photos … as you can see, the venue was reasonably small and the happy gathering filled every square inch available

Finality (Revised)

Lowercase: Thursday April 11th 2019

Theme: Shadow Of Doubt

Venue: Workers Club

We will all travel, life’s journey

There’s reality in the end, a concluding count down

Finality occurs, not a shadow of doubt

Sooner or later, we must retire, and work no more

Old tools are laid to rest, among the spider webs

There is a time, when we have to say goodbye

To that special one’s, sad crying eyes

Suddenly we are propelled past our friends lives

The people we knew, dwindle to a few

And beyond the lies, earth rises and dies

We the custodians, failed to see overcast skies

Our belief’s shriveled, inside religious sleeves

The jealous and greedy, are yet to eat their last supper

I hope tomorrow’s future, is better than today’s veiled ways

And yesterday’s trials, become the healing castle’s final say

Special Announcement:

Ivor’s Book Launch for “Perceptions”

When: Sunday 16th April 3.30pm

Venue: “Box Office Cafe”

Preston St, Geelong West

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) March 2023

Perceptions, From Jaymah Press

Today I am presenting an article about my recent book “Perceptions”, which was Edited & Published by Judy at Jaymah Press. Below I have attached my ‘Web-copy’ from Jaymah’s website, which clearly explains “our” book’s innovative concept …
Also, I am pleased to announce that my “book launch” for Perceptions will be on: Sunday 16th April 3.30pm, at the Box Office Cafe.

For Purchasing “Perceptions”

Here is the Link to Jaymah Press >> https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

And here is my Email address (for your signed copy) > ivorrs20@gmail.com

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

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) March 2023

A Beetle Called Bertha, is in this week’s Coffee House Writers Magazine

Hello dear readers and followers, I now write for “Coffee House Writers” magazine on a fortnightly basis, and my poem “A Beetle Called Bertha”, 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/a-beetle-called-bertha/

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

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) March 2023

Dust In My Eye

Above Artwork: By my niece, Kerri Costello

Dust In My Eye

I felt gravity’s pressure drop

When I noticed time had stopped

There, beyond our gray sky

Sunlight was beginning to die

Is Doomsday plunging into our sty?

Or, has future’s dust inhabited my eye

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

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) March 2023

In Need of a Wise Owl

“In Need of a Wise Owl” is a poem from my book “Perceptions”, and I have scanned “page 4” directly out of my copy and reproduced it here, to give everyone an idea of how each page appears to the reader. The wonderful photos are by Derrick Knight (Southern England), and all have one of my Ekphrastic poems below the associated image. The fantastic cover artwork is by my amazingly talented niece Kerri (Bensalem, USA)

“Déjà Vu”. Lyrics by, Crosby Stills Nash & Young

One, two, three, four

If I had ever been here before
I would probably know just what to do, don’t you?
If I had ever been here before on another time around the wheel
I would probably know just how to deal with all of you

And I feel like I’ve been here before
Feel like I’ve been here before
And you know it makes me wonder
What’s going on under the ground, hmm

Do you know? Don’t you wonder
What’s going on down under you?

We have all been here before, we have all been here before
We have all been here before, we have all been here before
We have all been here before, we have all been here before

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) March 2023

Throwback Friday, The Time-Machine’s Secret Code, by Ivor Steven

Copied from my article on “Go Dog Go Cafe” today >>
http://godoggocafe.com/2023/02/24/the-time-machines-secret-code/

A Poem From Early March 2019:
Well here l am, back in hospital again and feeling anxious about whether I am going to be fit enough to fly to NewYork and Philadelpha in just seven weeks time.

The Time-Machine’s Secret Code (Revised)

I’m no stranger to this land

The warm hourglass sand

Is drifting past my hand

I’m no stranger to this room

Time has me back here too soon

I’ve yet to go on my trip to the moon

I’m no stranger to this road

Time has me carrying destiny’s load

I’m here after my latest episode

I wait for a new download

From the time-machine’s secret code

I’m no stranger to this hospital door

Again, I’m grounded in ward four

But I will beat this unheralded war

And the nurses will say hello, and goodbye Ivor

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

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

The Odds and Ends, I Send

A poem made up of anecdotes that I have written and sent to my fellow blogger’s sites, as replies to their articles/poems … In order of stanza appearance below,
– V.J. >https://vjknutson.org/
– Kate > https://aroused.blog/
– Beth > https://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/

This week’s Wednesday Challenge on Weekly Prompts is the word: CHANGE … here is the link to their fabulous site >> https://weeklyprompts.com/2023/02/22/weekly-prompts-wednesday-challenge-change/ … and my poem today is a “Change” from what I normally write …

The Odds and Ends, I send

Our head reaches for the clouds

But our heart forgets to speak aloud

We are all little fish in a big sea

Swimming below the atmosphere

Created by nature’s life giving trees

Not all rocks

Are not just rocks

Some old rocks

When you study their socks

And listen to their knees knock

They “Have rocked around the clock”

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

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

Pi O, the Poet

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Geelong Writers “Polyglots” event, an evening of poetry readings as a lead-up community gathering for PakoFesta’s MultiCultural activities. The program included selected poems from international writers, and the special guest poet was, Pi O, who is a Greek–Australian, working-class, anarchist poet.^[ Pi O’s readings were both powerfully poignant and enjoyable to listen to.

Below I have attached 2 YouTude videos of his poems he recited on the night …

Ivor Steven (c) February 2023

Hear The Thunder

I came across this poem of mine today, a piece I wrote back in January 2019, while I was in hospital recovering from my 2nd stroke … maybe my dreams and visions were at bit blurred … but maybe they weren’t …

Hear The Thunder

My tired voice is crying out, “there’s no time to wait !!”

The people are pleading fromwithin their breastplates

We need to hear the thunder of peace bells ringing

Ringing to the crescendo of peace doves singing

The chimes are loud and clear

Loud enough for the universe to hear

Even through white marble walls

You’ll hear the thunder of the peace bells fall

We are gathering in every backyard

Every church hall

Every city street

Every farmers paddock

Every heavenly peace dove is escaping

You will see the doves flying high above

Even through the towers of tinted glass

You’ll see the peace doves soar

Even through their white marble walls

They’ll hear the thunder of the peace bells fall

Even through their towers of tinted glass

They’ll hear the crescendo of the peace doves call

Hear the thunder of peace bells ringing

Hear the crescendo of peace doves singing

Tullawalla is Available From

Jaymah Press:https://www.jaymahpress.com.au/

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

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