Waiting Time

Ekphrastic Poetry Event
This Sunday, 2:00pm at Boom Gallery

And also as a response to, Weekly Prompt, Word Prompt: Credibility 

As a member of Geelong Writers, I was invited to join the group for an afternoon of ekphrastic poetry at Boom Gallery. Writers were encouraged to write a poetic response to one or more of the art works of Graeme Altman, Nick Dridan and Meredith Earlson on show at Boom’s Sept-Oct art exhibition.  We had an hour or so to view the works and draft some responses. We were also invited to continue working on our pieces at Neighbour cafe at the conclusion of the event. The featured image above, is a painting by Graeme Altman, titled ‘Waiting’, the one that I chose to write a piece of poetry about. Below is my first ever ekphrastic response to a piece of artwork. I wonder if Graeme Altman approves of my interpretation, and finds any ‘Credibility’ in my words, about his incredible painting.

Waiting Time

 

I’m a time-traveler on a mission

Waiting for a personal vision

An image of my father’s ghost

To appear above the white-water coast

 

Millenniums ago, I delivered him to the ocean

Threw his ashes across the horizon

Away from faceless time-clocks

Away from hidden jagged rocks

 

Now I see him proudly standing afloat

Wondering who’s left to row the boat

Waiting for the breeze, without a sail

Seeking his passage through soundless hail

Beyond tumbling waves, a prism of light

Waiting stops, his alien spirit soars  tonight

 

Ivor Steven (c)  2018

 

Waiting Time

Ekphrastic Poetry Event
This Sunday, 2:00pm at Boom Gallery

As a member of Geelong Writers, I was invited to join the group for an afternoon of ekphrastic poetry at Boom Gallery. Writers were encouraged to write a poetic response to one or more of the art works of Graeme Altman, Nick Dridan and Meredith Earlson on show at Boom’s Sept-Oct art exhibition.  We had an hour or so to view the works and draft some responses. We were also invited to continue working on our pieces at Neighbour cafe at the conclusion of the event. The featured image above, is a painting by Graeme Altman, titled ‘Waiting’, the one that I chose to write a piece of poetry about. Below is my first ever ekphrastic response to a piece of artwork. I wonder if Graeme Altman approves of my interpretation of his spectacular painting.

Waiting Time

 

I’m a time-traveler on a mission

Waiting for a personal vision

An image of my father’s ghost

To appear above the white-water coast

 

Millenniums ago, I delivered him to the ocean

Threw his ashes across the horizon

Away from faceless time-clocks

Away from hidden jagged rocks

 

Now I see him proudly standing afloat

Wondering who’s left to row the boat

Waiting for the breeze, without a sail

Seeking his passage through soundless hail

Beyond tumbling waves, a prism of light

Waiting stops, his alien spirit soars  tonight

 

Ivor Steven (c)  2018

 

Beyond My Time Here

words written, her silent years

every fallen tear

words written, out of sheer fear

often drowning in beer

words written, not so severe

my everlasting revere

words written, for everyone to hear

exploring a new frontier

words written, clouds beginning to clear

searching for love, far away and near

words written, needing someone to steer

tomorrow, and beyond my time here

 

Ivor Steven (c)  2018

Doggie Minder

Hi dear readers, Ivor’s at it again, looking after a gorgeous dog for ten days. Let me introduce you to “Cyndy”, I’m minding her, while her owner is away on holidays. Cyndy and and I are dear friends from a few years ago, when we all lived together, Lily and Cyndy,  Ivor and Sue,….. Sue is my ex-girlfriend/partner from those days. Cyndy is a snuggly King George Cavalier, and she’s a healthy 9 year-old bundle of joy, and she hasn’t left my side since she arrived here this morning. We are in for a lovely time together over the next ten days, and as you can see in the below picture, Cyndy has already made herself at home, up on my bed…. xx

 

All’s Well, I’ve A Dell

Where do I start

This ongoing story of blinking dark

My two year-old machined crashed in July

I’ve battled and struggled to get by

In and out of black I’ve seen

Infinite variations on my screen

By the hand of brother number two

I’ve finally another computer, almost new

No more sudden or continuous blinking blinking

No more going insane and thinking I’m sinking

For three months, a poet blogging monk

Now I’m back in gear, full of spunk

 

Ivor Steven (c)  2018

 

Morning Tea With Dad’s Orchids

Dawn’s spring-time sunshine bathes me

Relaxing here under my verandah tree

Sipping on lemon and ginger tea

Watching a busy working honey-bee

 

Dad’s annual orchids are blooming

The flowers are glowing and beaming

I hear their spirit-bird songs swooning

Good morning dad, mum, and my girl, our day’s booming

Xavier Rudd, Lyrics

“Follow The Sun”

Follow, follow the sun
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done
Breathe, breathe in the air
Set your intentions
Dream with care
Tomorrow’s a new day for everyone
A brand new moon and brand new sun

So follow, follow the sun
The direction of the birds
The direction of love
Breathe, breathe in the air
Cherish this moment
Cherish this breath
Tomorrow’s a new day for everyone
A brand new moon, brand new sun

When you feel life coming down on you like a heavy weight
When you feel this crazy society adding to the strain
Take a stroll to the nearest water’s edge, remember your place
Many moons have risen and fallen long, long before you came
So which way is the wind blowing
What does your heart say

So follow, follow the sun
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done

 

Ivor Steven (c)  2018

Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge September 25, 2018

Hi, dear readers, come along and join in the love fun, write a 12 word love story.
Here’s Mine…..
Life comes and goes
Meeting love, embracing love
True love, lasts forever

Go Dog Go Café

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.

The prompts are designed to be quick challenges that can be written in 10 to 15minutes,  inspire you creatively, are fun, and get everyone interacting.  Please post your response to the prompt in the comments below and show your fellow posters some love and support.  All members of the Go Dog Go community, including Baristas, are welcome to participate.  Feel free to share this post on your own blogs and/or Facebook.

Today’s prompt:  In only 12 words, write a love story.

We are always looking for cool, quick writing prompts.  If you have a great idea for a future Tuesday prompt challenge, send it to Beth Amanda at midwestfantasy333@gmail.com

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Tit Bits #15

I’ve not written one these for a while, and I’ve enough of my comments stored in my NoteBook file to fill War And Peace !! Thank you to all of my dear readers who comment on my writings, I am forever grateful, and you all continue to inspire me to write these short poetry pieces about your marvelous posts.

 

I used to say, mum was the one

Dad was always there, daddy number one

Carole came along, she was my only one

They’re gone, I was left with no-one

Myself has become an intimate one

To you all, I cannot do without everyone

I love sharing my life

I love talking about my wife

Even though I’ve seen so much strife

She wouldn’t have it any other way

She graciously fought on, every day

My story will never explain her everlasting smile

My future is about trying, for her every mile

I know those old photo album feelings

Old memories and dusty dreams

Your heart does miss a beat

They’ll be tears at your feet

You’ll need a comfy seat

Bathe in the images, so sweet

Life’s rotation process is endless

Watermill wheels keep on turning

I’m writing on recycled paper

Word’s of purpose are not useless

Morning birds sing, but do not see

By day, I’ll look like a tree

Like a lonely Tawny Frog-mouth Owl

By night, hear my wisdom howl

Beware, there’s more

You’ll be shown the door

By the bolt of Thor

 

I’ve been inspired by my tour of yesterdays street art in Geelong, and the magnificent mural of Chrissy Amphlett, so here she is, singing with the Divinyls

 

Ivor Steven (2)  2018

 

 

Street Art, The Other Half

In response to Weekly Prompt; Photo Prompt, The Other Half (I went to a different half), and also, in response to CalmKate’s Friday Foto Fun, the prompt,  Art

The featured Image above, was after I’d walk around the city centre of Geelong taking all of these photos,.. I had to have refreshments, and the best place seemed to be Pistol Pete’s Blues Bar, with loud music, tasty food and a cold beer or two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those followers of Australian Rock Music, the above mural is of Chrissy Amphlett,  she was a Geelong girl, and lead singer of the Divinyls, one of our great bands during the 1980’s and 1990’s

 

 

 

Cloudy Visions

I’m trying to write myself a Mission Statement

Feels like a speech I need to practice in the basement

I’ve never been good at making speeches

They’re messy, like eating mushy soft peaches

 

When I first began writing poetry

My main aim was to teach myself to read and write again

Eighteen years ago this month, I suffered a Stroke

Times become tough, depression drowned this bloke

 

Poetry became my 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 a routine, centered around love

The love of caring for my wife, her MS was severe

Writing was my retreat, a place of solace

My world was narrow, I was skating on thin ice

 

Six 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 writing 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 fifteen months ago

My confidence grew, I came in from the snow

 

Wondering what’s my goal, where do I go

There’s many answers I do not know

In the future, I believe a poetry book or two

I’ve volumes of poems, enough to fill my shoes

 

This is my story

My life’s journey

Of cloudy visions

My words, my mission

I used to care about tomorrow’s endings

Now I care about today’s beginnings.

 

Ivor Steven (c)  2018