G'day, and welcome to my blog site. My name is Ivor Steven, I live in Geelong, Australia. I'm an ex-industrial chemist, and a retired plumber, and a former Carer of my wife(Carole), for 30 years, who suffered from severe MS. I Write poetry about those personal thoughts, throughout and beyond my life as a Carer.
I've been blogging for over 2 years, and writing poems for 19 years. Of course a lot of my poems are about my favourite subject Carole, but since I've been blogging my writings have become quite varied, humourous, mystical, observational, and even a few monster/horror poems.
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49 thoughts on “Questionnaire”
Those boxes can really throw us off – life defined in a single word lacks so much understanding.
I know what you mean. At first I was unsure whether I had to tick the box marked Mrs or Ms. Then I decided I will always be his Mrs, so that’s what I tick! 🙂
I do. I’ll always feel married to my sweet husband. I get the same feeling when I fill paperwork out for my children about their father. It just doesn’t feel right.
OH. 😦 I’ve got tears flowing, Ivor.
That kind of adjustment is one of THE hardest. 😦 And often those boxes, labels, designations are so limiting and do not tell the whole story. It’s difficult to deal with them. 😦
The joy is in the fact that you and Carole lived, loved, laughed and she will always be with you in so many ways.
(((HUGS)))
Yes I cried while I was writing this piece, the shadow of the words were shading my heart, and co-incidently I happened to be listening to Damien’s song at the same, and his soulful music strongly inspired/influence my poem……
Our hearts string pulled in unexpected ways when we least expect them to be.
Touching poem about the feelings no one could understand when checking a box.
May your heart heal …. Isadora 😎
I struggled with ticking that box for a long time then realized I can’t let ticking a box dictate my feelings. Even though loved ones will always be in my heart, it was time for me to move forward. Letting ourselves heal takes time.
Thank you Eugenia, oh ithink I’m fine, it’s just the sudden emotional response that still unexpectedly jumps at me once in a while, and then I tend to write about the feeling, and I think it helps get through the moments, and my readers responses are always positive and encouraging 😉😁🙄🤗
“Her clock stopped, she ran out of time
And I still do not comprehend
Why ?”
Isn’t it strange how life will go along, moving forward, and you think it’s all coming into focus. Then one little thing happens that sets off a thought-storm. Sometimes when I see my shoes sitting side-by-side near the front door I see mom’s shoes with her socks stuck in them sitting by the hamper in the bathroom. And for those moments it all comes back to me. Over and over and over again… Your words are so beautiful and honest, Ivor… ❤
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 
Those boxes can really throw us off – life defined in a single word lacks so much understanding.
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Thank you V. J., for understanding my delemia.
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So welcome, Ivor.
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No matter how long, you will, in a way, be forever married to Carole!
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I truly appreciate your touching words, thank you Peter.
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So very touching and sad… Beautifully written, Ivor.
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Thank you Beckie, for your kindness ☺️🤗❤️
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Always, my dear friend! xoxxo!!
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You’ll be hers, always Ivor!
*hugs*
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Thank you Soiba, yes your right ❤️
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Some labels never truly fit us. Do they?
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Yes Drew, to me this one feels out of shape,
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I know what you mean. At first I was unsure whether I had to tick the box marked Mrs or Ms. Then I decided I will always be his Mrs, so that’s what I tick! 🙂
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yes Sue….. widowed just seem such a finality, that’s not part of my psyche yet…..
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I understand 🙂
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This is very heart wrenching Ivor. I felt every word.
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Thank you for your kind and heartfelt comment
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Ivor! You know I feel this deeply! It feels rite of passage to click widow. It says so much that one little check mark. Hugs my sweet sweet Ivor!!
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I knew you would understand my feelings of my words, ((hugs)) dear Stella.
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I do. I’ll always feel married to my sweet husband. I get the same feeling when I fill paperwork out for my children about their father. It just doesn’t feel right.
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I think there’s an aqua-duct full of tears blocking that right side of the road………………. xx
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OH. 😦 I’ve got tears flowing, Ivor.
That kind of adjustment is one of THE hardest. 😦 And often those boxes, labels, designations are so limiting and do not tell the whole story. It’s difficult to deal with them. 😦
The joy is in the fact that you and Carole lived, loved, laughed and she will always be with you in so many ways.
(((HUGS)))
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Yes I cried while I was writing this piece, the shadow of the words were shading my heart, and co-incidently I happened to be listening to Damien’s song at the same, and his soulful music strongly inspired/influence my poem……
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Why do they need to label us! Very touching, Ivor. Hugs!
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Sometimes they feel like harsh reminders, but my sensitive heart is always scratching at the thoughts within mind……
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Indeed…such harsh reminders…more so when these thoughts are always there…
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This is so touching…. lovely poem..
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Thank you for reading and for your heartfelt comment
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You are most welcome 🌷
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A word that takes some getting used to. I’ve done it twice – even odder at 22
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Our hearts string pulled in unexpected ways when we least expect them to be.
Touching poem about the feelings no one could understand when checking a box.
May your heart heal …. Isadora 😎
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Thank you Isadora, yes I continue to be emotional unexpectedly 😢🤗
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Our hearts heal in their own time …. no one needs to add parameters even ourselves. 🙏
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ps …. I forgot to mention that Damien Rice is a fav of mine too. I’ll bet we’d have very similar playlists.
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Yes I’m sure we would have, and Damien’s music/lyrics/and his superb infectious voice are completely outstanding 🎶🎼❤️🤗☺️🙄
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I struggled with ticking that box for a long time then realized I can’t let ticking a box dictate my feelings. Even though loved ones will always be in my heart, it was time for me to move forward. Letting ourselves heal takes time.
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Thank you Eugenia, oh ithink I’m fine, it’s just the sudden emotional response that still unexpectedly jumps at me once in a while, and then I tend to write about the feeling, and I think it helps get through the moments, and my readers responses are always positive and encouraging 😉😁🙄🤗
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Thus one of the reasons to write. It’s good for us.
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Mine unfortunately has always been “single” and in our society it is frowned upon. Singleness is the plague of society. I understand your woe.
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Never liked those categories, either. Don’t like to be pigeonholed.
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Yes that a good word for it… thanks Mark.
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Welcome. 🙂🙂
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“Her clock stopped, she ran out of time
And I still do not comprehend
Why ?”
Isn’t it strange how life will go along, moving forward, and you think it’s all coming into focus. Then one little thing happens that sets off a thought-storm. Sometimes when I see my shoes sitting side-by-side near the front door I see mom’s shoes with her socks stuck in them sitting by the hamper in the bathroom. And for those moments it all comes back to me. Over and over and over again… Your words are so beautiful and honest, Ivor… ❤
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Thank you for your accurate and comprehensive comments, yes the unexpected emotions are always a surprise, but still heartfelt
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hugs. such a beautiful piece, Ivor! xo
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Thank you Carol…. one of those personal pieces xx
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Never a creep, Ivor. A beautiful soul dealing with the blows that life throws at us all from time to time.
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Yes life keeps throwing us little twisted emotions every now and then…
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Some are tsunamis, others just little wavelets….
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