A poem I wrote over a decade ago. I’ve been inspired by fellow bloggers, “Imaginateweb” and “Chatter Master”, to dig it up out of my archives. It was written during a time of great personal hardship, my wife was wheelchair bound, suffering from severe MS, and I was recovering from a reasonably bad Stroke, and the hurdles of life seemed beyond my capabilities. Such is life, I survived, and my dear gracious and courageous lady has since passed. This is an emotional verse for me to present, so here goes, typing between the tears of life, but don’t worry I’m reasonably healed and enjoying myself, unabated. Also I’ve added another little poem below “This Fence”, called “Tears”, for you readers to soak up.
This Fence
I am quickly nearing this fence.
An obstacle of a lifetime I see.
And from my side of this fence,
The hurdle is too high for me.
And on the other side of this fence,
There seems nowhere to land or flee.
I have arrived at this fence,
Above the pickets, just grey sky.
And on my side of this fence,
The grass is brown and dry.
And on the other side of this fence,
The grass is green, but still I cry.
How am I to clear this fence,
There seems nowhere to go, or get by.
This fence, all built of stones,
Breaks my spirit, and all my bones.
Ivor Steven.
Sometime after the passing of my dear Lady, I wrote these two lines, I suppose now is an appropriate time to post them, and again don’t worry, I’m ok…..
Tears
How many rivers of tears must we cry,
Before all our deepest wells run dry.
Ivor Steven
Haha. Yayyy. Finally you posted this poem.
Well I definitely loved this. And you know the rest. π
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Here’s looking at you, over the fence. Thanks again, Sparshaaaa……
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You’re an inspiration Ivor. π
Haha, you’re not gonna stop with the Sparshaaaa are you ?
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love your name, since your showed me how to pronounce it, hehe.
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Haha. Ahan I can see that. Take care Ivor. π
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Beautiful.Thanks Ivor, you empty yourself on paper
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Thankyou, I’ve found writing’s the best therapy.
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So true.
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beautiful and a moving poem!
such times do come in our lives when we feel helpless and then we only wait for those times to pass because only time is the healer
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Thankyou so much, your compassion is appreciated.
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Thank you, Ivor
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Ivor, it takes such courage to write and share such emotions. Then to relive the emotions of thise moments every time you read them again. Such power in your words. And such grace in your love and healing.
Thank you for sharing with us.
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As you have gathered, I write unabridged from my heart, and this seems to be good medicine for me. Thank you so much for your beautifully benevolent words.
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I can tell, and we benefit from them. I’m looking forward to more that I hope you will share.
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All I can say is, wow. Here I thought you were just a shrinking man, aging with dignity. I guess, that when you write from your heart, and the deepest part of your soul – some really good stuff appears.
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Thankyou Patrick, yes writing is wonderful medicine for my heart, and my words expose my soul
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Very moving, Ivor, Mr Wonder with words.
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Awesome work uncle! Beautifully framed
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Thank you shraddh, like all bloggers, I so much appreciate feedback, and as you can understand this is a special piece for me.
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Yeah I can feel the importance of this poem to u
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Did you scroll all the way down and get to read “Tears”
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Yeah I was melt
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This is so powerful a piece Ivor. Beautifully written and, probably, still very difficult for you, as the scars heal exceedingly slowly. The obstacle of a lifetime has now become a gateway to a new life.
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Thank you Peter, and yes I’m scarred, but they can’t be seen, and yes the open gateway is now allowing me walk a garden path
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Amazing and heart warming. You and I have something in common⦠A lot actually. Loss is a part of every life.
Thatβs how I got back to writing.
So glad youβre sharing. It adds to my life when a person such as yourself does so in such a lovely meaningful way.
Warm regards. Love your prose! π
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Thanks Mel, for following my blog /website, muchly appreciated, I’m glad you are reading my humble writings, and enjoying my unabridged feelings that has become a form of wonderful self release and therapy
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Read my very first post… Writing MATL Part 1. We’re connected.
Your heart is lovely. Keep going. I want to keep reading. π
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By the way… I like to entertain. The Vampire stuff was a surprise (to everyone). I’d like to know what you think about my other stuff.
Warm regards! Stay cool!
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Oh, forgot to mention, I’m from Geelong, Australia. I shall read more of yours in the morning, it’s nearly midnight here, time for my beauty sleep. .
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Nice. Well… sweet dreams from Texas. Traveling to the future is possible indeed!
Get some rest. No pressure to read but that post truly connects us and it makes me happy to have made this connection with you.
Nighty night!
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I genuinely approve of traveling back in time to connect with you. Sunday here now, enjoy your weekend
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Please read my Unique Blogger Award post.
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So glad you decided to share this. Such sad memories, but beautifully written.
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Thanks Michelle, the poem holds a special place in my soul
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It really seems like it. π
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β‘β‘β‘
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Sad, but deep from your heart, may this fence be easy to jump over now!
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Thanks Anie, I suppose there’s always a fence to jump over, but they’re only little rabbit fences these days β‘β‘
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: )….even better, so we can jump over easily!
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Yes, the easier the betterer, and thank you for reading my poem. the poem means a lot to me, and for you to read my words and appreciate what I was expressing is so very special for me, and I’m truly grateful that you understand… xx
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Dear Ivor, I enjoy your poetry very much! I can not say for sure if I understand them in the same way as you wrote them, but they mostly fit into my current thoughts. The fence here: You would have liked to overcome it, but it was not possible to land well on the “green side”. The bridle was too high. Life changes. People and situations change. The fences can be smaller, no more stone and friendly and at least you’ve grown …; ) …., and finally there is a place on the other side that laughs at you or a water source that allows you to green your site …
it beautiful an full of hope and brings motivation to fight for the dreams.
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A lovely comment Anie, and that’s probably where I am in my life now, reasonably comfortable within myself and still able to dream and achieve xx
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IΒ΄m so happy for you, and also happy for me, as I will profit from you happiness!
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That’s a beautiful thing to say, thank you Anie xx
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This piece is such a beauty! May your wife’s soul rest in peace. She seems like someone who has given you so much love and happiness, really something to admire. I am sure she changed your life and made it so beautiful, for you are such a kind person! I am so glad you are okay now! πβ€
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Thank you for reading, Carole was indeed a special and courageous Lady. xx
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such a beautiful, haunting poem!! i am greatly saddened to hear the hardships befallen on you and your wife, but i am so grateful that you managed to push through and prosper. i believe that any fence is surmountable, regardless of its height β€ you just have to want to be free.
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It was a big fence at that time
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Breathtakingly beautiful. I can sense the pain and anguish through this poem but a huge amount of love too.
You are extremely brave and courageous to share your heart so openly but I am certain that this will help others.
Love Hayley ππ
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Thank you again Hayley, they were certainly tough times, and my writings about these events have been very theraputic for me
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I can imagine, Ivor. I find writing therapeutic too and then I like to turn what I write into melodies and songs. Itβs very cathartic β€οΈ
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Oh that’s wonderfully talented of you. π
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Every road has a bend, in every life there are hurdles to cross some are lucky that bends don’t come so often and hurdles are few we are all endowed with an abundance of courage which is a blessing for us if put to the proper use I believe from reading your poetry Ivor you are doing just that. Happy trails to you.
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Thank you Chris for lovely words of encouragement, and yes I’ll battle my way through it all.
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I have no doubt.
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Thank you for sharing this with me, Ivor dearest. I am deeply sorry…
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So much to contend with in this life and hardere still when loved ones suffer or are lost. I comfort myself that my sister who had a stroke at 34 and was bed ridden towards the end is now free. I am glad you could pout all your emotions into this piece Ivor. Thanks for providing the link for me.
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Thank you for reading, yes we go through many different emotions, and for me it is a continual process to find myself and my direction
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Yes like steering a ship through a wild icean at times..π€
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Yes, and steering without a rudder …..
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read again your poem…isnΒ΄t it wonderful that art fits always on our way through life…it always can give hope and empathy…our fantasy, our dreams and wishes are our barometer of where we are and who we are…our fences are never too high, we just have to change our position!
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Beautiful and heart-wrenching Ivor.
β₯.
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It’s a favourite old poem of mine…. They were heart-wrenching times Niki πβ₯οΈ
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Your poem is so heartfelt and the adversity, in order to climb that fence, is amazing! I was very moved by both pieces, Ivor. π
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Thank you Beckie a very special poem, with and few words, but that meant a lot and told my story the way it was….. I was just learning how to read and write again at that time, and these were the words
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You started off with a bang, my friend. Beautifully penned! π
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Reblogged this on Beckie's Mental Mess and commented:
REBLOG: Ivor, of “Ivor.Plumber/Poet” shared these two pieces in response to October 11, 2019 “Quotes and Food For Thought”, I thought I’d share them with you as well.
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Oh dear Beckie, thank you so much for sharing my poem on your fabulous site, I’m honoured by your supportive generosity πππ€ππ
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You’re most welcome, Ivor. I felt that piece resonate with my own trials in life. It was my pleasure to share it with other bloggers.
God Bless you! πππ€
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I’m pleased my words may touch other souls and help them understand that they are not alone with the way they are feeling… π€βΊοΈπ€
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I’m sure they will relate to this piece. You’d have to be numb not to feel anything from it.
Take care of yourself, Ivor. Have a lovely day. π π
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Thank you Beckie, you have a wonderful weekend…
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