“Until Eyes Hear Sound”, The Back Cover and My ‘Blurb’

Yesterday, Judy, my editor/publisher, set me one last task before my manuscript could be sent to the printers, which was to design a Back Cover with an interesting ‘Blurb’ for my new book. By using my ‘Canva App’, and reworking Kerri’s Front Cover design, I was happy with the image that I created. Then the difficult part was writing an appropriate ‘Blurb’ for my book, which was to be my debut attempt at writing such a piece. After many torn-up drafts and lots of frustrating self-doubts, I eventually produced my ‘Blurb’.





“Until Eyes Hear Sound”, My ‘Blurb’

The title ‘Until Eyes Hear Sound’ could mean different things depending on your interpretation. It could be a poetic expression, a metaphor for waiting for something to happen, or a way of describing a state of deep concentration where one is so focused on one’s inner vision that one becomes oblivious to external sounds.
Ivor’s poems do not suggest having the answers, but his words encourage you to think about the environment we live in, as he ponders the purpose of our existence in the Universe.
“If you love poetry that challenges, inspires, and moves you, this book is for you.”







Ivor Steven (c) February 2024

Throwback Friday, Epilogue, My Cloudy Vision

Today I am presenting the Epilogue’ poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. and “My Cloudy Vision” is a poem I wrote in September 2018, and it will be the finale piece in the Book.
Please Note: the photo attached below, is the proposed cover design for my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, created by my niece Kerri Costello – Philadelphia.



Epilogue. My Cloudy Vision

I am trying to write myself a Mission Statement 
Feels like a speech I need to practice in the basement 
I have never been good at making speeches 
They are messy, like eating mushy peaches 

When I first began writing poetry 
My main aim was to teach myself to read and write again 
Several years ago, I suffered a Stroke 
Times become tough, depression drowned this bloke 

Poetry became a form of self-therapy 
I listened to music and inspirational lyrics 
Leonard Cohen’s songs were always playing 
I fervently keep writing 

My life became centered inside a small sphere 
While also caring for my lovely wife, her MS was severe 
Writing was my retreat, a place of solace 
My world was narrow, I was skating on thin ice 

Ten years ago, my wife did pass 
My heart turned to water on glass 
Then I heard Leonard singing again 
His music and words were not in vain 

I resumed drafting my poems 
Grieving, words were sad and solemn 
Healing takes time 
Soulfully I wrote more rhyme 

I joined local writers’ groups 
My words were out there, under readers boots 
On a prompt, I started a website six years ago 
My confidence grew, I came in from the snow 

Wondering what my goal is, where do I go 
There are many answers, I do not know 
In the future, I believe a poetry book or two 
I have volumes of poems waiting in the queue 

This is my story 
My life’s journey 
Of cloudy visions 
My words, my mission 







Ivor Steven (c) October 2023

Throwback Friday, Dancing In The Rain (an Epigram)

Today I am presenting the ‘penultimate‘ poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. and “Dancing In The Rain (an Epigram)” is a poem I wrote in September 2022, and it will be the last piece in the ‘Others’ section of Chapter 10. Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others
Please Note: the photo attached below, is the proposed cover design for my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, created by my niece Kerri Costello – Philadelphia.

Artwork © Kerri Costello




Dancing In The Rain (an Epigram)


In one way or another

After leaving our mothers

Life delivers us to love and pain

While dancing in the rain







Ivor Steven (c) September 2023

Throwback Friday, Shadows Fall (a Musette)



Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eye Eyes Hear Sound”. The ‘Musette’ is also a relatively new poem format for me, (thank you to Ryan, >> https://daysofstone.com/, for introducing me to the Musette format), and “Shadows Fall” is a poem I wrote in February 2023, and it will be an exciting piece in the ‘Others’ section of Chapter 10. Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others




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










Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2023

Throwback Friday, Lullaby (a Senryu)

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Lullaby’ in May 2023, and the Senryu will be the opening piece in the ‘Senryu’ section of Chapter 10. Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others.

And coincidently, over at Weekly Prompts, the Midweek Challenge is the word Napping, please visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here

Please Note: All above images (Except the one of Frankie), were by taken by Derrick Knight, and he kindly allows me to reproduce his wonderful photos here on my poetry website. If you wish, you may visit his fabulous Site via this link > https://derrickjknight.com/2023/05/17/baby-species/




Lullaby (a Senryu)



Sleep little ones, sleep

Our Chaotic world will wait

Until eyes hear sound








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/

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) September 2023

Throwback Friday, Exposed (a Haiku)

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Exposed’ in October 2020, and the Haiku will be the opening piece in the ‘Haiku’ section of Chapter 10 . Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others.

Featured Image: The 14th China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow …Pinterest, 4 yrs ago





Exposed (a Haiku)


Cold droplets of rain

Icicles stuck on bare skin

Hinged by winter wind







Ivor Steven (c) August 2023

Throwback Friday, Wonderment Rings True

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Wonderment Rings True’ in September 2020, and the poem will be the opening piece in the Fantasy Section, of Chapter 9. Humour, Fantasy, Faeries, and Weird. 



Wonderment Rings True


My imagination’s beaming

Alive and dreaming

Even when I’m sleeping

Tired eyes are peeping

Searching for the milky-way

Flying there, on my open sleigh

And sailing the air-waves

High above broadway



Steering my spacecraft, Itmims**

While reading The Brothers Grimm

And playing a tune on my old violin

The theme from ‘Lord of the Rings’



I’m a visionary sky Pilot

With a handful of violets

Travelling beyond a silvery moon

To float upon our blue lagoon




**Itmims … “Ivor’s Time Machine In Micro Space”








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/

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) August 2023

Throwback Friday, Creation??

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Creation??’ in February 2021, and the poem will be the opening piece in Chapter 9. Humour, Fantasy, Faeries, and Weird. 





Creation??


Eve’s enticing apple 

Fell from God’s tree 

And hit young Newton 

On his hairy head 

Then the apple rolled away 

Into Bell’s telephone booth

And here begun “All Creation”

The first born “Apple iPhone Box” 








Ivor Steven (c) July 2023

Throwback Friday, Taking Shape

Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. I wrote ‘Taking Shape’ in December 2020, and the poem will be the opening piece in Chapter 8. Poetry in Slow Motion. And ironically the day after my 72nd birthday, the poem is quite appropriate …




Taking Shape


Today I forgot the date

I’ve yet to set foot on the landscape

And I cannot recall last night’s videotape

Maybe I went to bed too late

Or did I drink too many of those red grapes

I’m fighting with my breakfast crepe

And losing the battle to look shipshape

It’s time to put on my battered Superman cape

And unlock last year’s rusty gate

Ready for next year’s great escape







Ivor Steven ©  July 2023