My new book “Tullawalla”, has now been released and to order the book, here are the links … Although at the moment the book is still “Temporally Available” at Barnes & Noble !!
Tomorrow is “Book Launch Day” and today I’m presenting afavourite poem of mine that just missed out on making the cut for my Book.. This nostalgic piece speaks for itself as to why the words stay close to my heart…
Today I’m presenting an old poem referring to ‘Tullawalla’, at a time when my wife had not long passed and I was in between abodes, living with my older brother at the old family Homestead.
I tried to ‘reblog’ this article from the “Go Dog Go Cafe” site, but it wouldn’t work for me, so I have reconstructed the post for my site…
Today I am presenting at poem I wrote 12 years ago….. when I was feeling guilty about my capabilities as a carer. I’m posting here, and thinking someone in a similar situation may read these words. Please do not feel guilty or inadequate, you’re not failing, and there’s really only so much that is possible. You’re not alone in having these insecure feelings, and please understand, us carer’s all go through these self doubts and confusing thoughts.
Sorry for You
Sorry I was not always there for you
I am sorry for your life of misery
I am so sorry, for writing this unhappy story
I could not find your holy grail
That sacred cup of water to cure the frail
Sorry I could not help or heal you
I am sorry for your life being wrong
I am so sorry, for playing this wordless song
I could not find your holy grail
That sacred cup of wine to cure the frail
Sorry I did not travel every path for you
I am sorry for your life’s that is lost
I am so sorry, for holding this worthless cross
I could not find your golden grail
That sacred cup of blood to cure the frail
Sorry I could not be stronger for you
I am sorry, for your world that could not be
I am deeply sorry, for walking on an empty sea
I could not find your silver grail
That angel’s vessel of purity, to no avail
My new book “Tullawalla”, is due to be released on 30th March, and for preorder, here are the links
Ivor is a former Industrial Chemist who, at 30 years old, became a plumber until his recent retirement. In September 2000 he suffered a stroke and started writing poetry as part of his rehabilitation process, to help regain his communication abilities. He has had numerous poems published in on-line magazines, and anthology books by publisher’s such as: Vita Brevis, SpillWords, Drabble, Wolff Poetry Journal, Festival of Poetry, Slasher Monster Magazine, Fae Corps Publishing, Free Verse Revolution, Red Wolf Journal, and Prolific Pulse.
He is an active member of the Geelong Writers Inc. and many of his poems are published in their annual Anthologies. In August 2019 he was appointed as a team member/barista with the ‘Go Dog Go Café’ on-line blog/magazine group.
Between the years 1983 and 2012 Ivor was also the primary career for his wife, who suffered from the severe MS illness, and his devotion to her is evident throughout the poems in this book.
And below is a self-portrait poem I wrote 3 years ago…
“Finally” there is only a few days to go before my book is launched on the the 30th of March, and appropriately today I am presenting my poem “Finality”, and this is another poem that I left out of my book “Tullawalla”
Finality
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, gathering dust
There is a time when we have to say goodbye
To that special one’s, sad crying eyes
Suddenly life propels us to pass our friends lives
The people we knew dwindle to a few
And beyond the lies earth slowly 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
Today here is another poem, that didn’t make the final list, and was ‘cut’ from my new Book “Tullawalla”… Maybe I thought the poem “Five Shades of Grey” was not substantial enough .. !!
Today here is another poem, that didn’t make the final list, and was ‘cut’ from my new Book “Tullawalla”… “ Loneliness” is a poem I wrote eight years ago, and I suppose ‘Chapter 2 – My Empty Hands Are Full, Of Memories And Rhymes’, was already becoming too large to include any more of my nostalgic poems…
Loneliness
Loneliness is watering your garden vegetables,
And having no-one by your side to watch them grow.
Loneliness is playing your favourite sad song.
And having no-one listening to you singing out of tune.
Loneliness is viewing your family photo album.
And having no-one to share your privy memories with.
Loneliness is being home sick, oh so very sick,
And having no-one to tend to your aches and selfish moans.
Loneliness is awakening to the crisp morning dew,
And having no-one to feel to feel the warmth of your heart at sunrise.
Loneliness is walking a sandy beach until the tide comes in,
And having no-one to hold when the ocean finally covers you.
Today here is another poem, that didn’t make the final list, and was ‘cut’ from my new Book “Tullawalla”… “ White Clouds Over Forest Floor Snail Trails ” is a poem from July 2019 after I had returned home from Philadelphia and I supposed my head was still high up in the clouds..… !!
White Clouds Over Forest Floor Snail Trails
I remember the days well
When I could hear the ringing of bluebells
And the horizon, was an aqua clear skyline
Splashed with drifting white shrines
The fertile ranges enriched by His grapevines
Hillsides full of nature’s green living enzymes
Now everywhere, there’s gray poles, black cables, and yellow floodlights
Feeding hungry digital mealtimes and TV screens under dull downlights
Oh, to again see moonlit clouds glide by with pristine silver sails
Moving slow enough to observe a forest floor’s snail trails
Today here is another poem, that didn’t make the final list, and was ‘cut’ from my new Book “Tullawalla”… “How to Climb” is poem from 2 years ago, when I was recovering at home after ‘Rehab’ from my 2 recent strokes, and I was feeling very anxious about my ability to fly to New York/Philadelphia, in only 5 weeks time… !!