Tag: Go Dog Go Cafe

Throwback Friday, Baby Vegetables and Puppy Dogs, by Ivor Steven

 / IVOR20 … Copied from my article on “Go Do Go Cafe” this morning. >> http://godoggocafe.com/2023/03/24/throwback-friday-baby-vegetables-and-puppy-dogs-by-ivor-steven/


Today I am presenting a poem I originally wrote in August 2019 …

Baby Vegetables and Puppy Dogs

We can climb the tallest peaks

Where there’s the purest thin air to breathe

Yet we still dispossess children of their rightful freedom

Bagging them in plastic like vegetables in a fridge

We can dive into the ocean’s deepest chasms

Where without artificial lights it’s too dark to see

Yet we still blindfold children from the solar daylight

Abandoning them at night like forgotten homeless dogs

We can fly to the furthermost planets

Where there’s a willingness to meet the unknown

Yet we still treat frightened children like Saturn’s aliens

Caging them like feral animals in a desert zoo





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) March 2023

Throwback Friday, Please! Let The World Stay Green (a Haiku), by Ivor Steven

Copied from my article on “Go Do Go Cafe” this morning. >> http://godoggocafe.com/2023/03/17/throwback-friday-please-let-the-world-stay-green-a-haiku-by-ivor-steven/

A poem from St Patrick’s Day last year (2022), and here I am again today. Maybe another poem/haiku tomorrow … it’ll be a shortish piece … I’ll be extra tired … ☘



Please! Let The World Stay Green

Afternoon / evening

St Patrick’s Day at Murphy’s

Irish songs and cheers







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://www.amazon.com.au/Perceptions-Ivor-Steven/dp/1387487302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RD27PWFI9JPS&keywords=perceptions+by+ivor+steven&qid=1676894211&s=books&sprefix=Perceptions%2Cstripbooks%2C1174&sr=1-1

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) March 2022

Throwback Friday, Finality, A Night To Remember, by Ivor Steven.

Copied from my article on “Go Do Go Cafe” this morning.
>> http://godoggocafe.com/2023/03/10/throwback-friday-finality-a-night-to-remember-by-ivor-steven/


Late night I attended the ‘lowercase’ Open Mic event, at the Analogue Academy, which for the past 10 years has been a cultural “home” for the young artistic generatation in the Geelong area. Sadly the Analogue Academy is closing down very soon and will be sorely missed by all concerned. Appropriately I recited my poem “Finality”, a piece I wrote for a lowercase open mic night 4 years ago.


Please Note: The Photos attached above; were taken by “Me” from the stage/platform, just before I began to recite my poem, and everyone smiled for their fabulous group photos … as you can see, the venue was reasonably small and the happy gathering filled every square inch available


Finality (Revised)

Lowercase: Thursday April 11th 2019

Theme: Shadow Of Doubt

Venue: Workers Club


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, among the spider webs

There is a time, when we have to say goodbye

To that special one’s, sad crying eyes

Suddenly we are propelled past our friends lives

The people we knew, dwindle to a few

And beyond the lies, earth rises and 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




Special Announcement:

Ivor’s Book Launch for “Perceptions”

When: Sunday 16th April 3.30pm

Venue: “Box Office Cafe”

Preston St, Geelong West



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://www.amazon.com.au/Perceptions-Ivor-Steven/dp/1387487302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RD27PWFI9JPS&keywords=perceptions+by+ivor+steven&qid=1676894211&s=books&sprefix=Perceptions%2Cstripbooks%2C1174&sr=1-1

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) March 2023

Throwback Friday, Street Art, The Other Half, by Ivor Steven

Posted this morning on “Go Dog Go Cafe” >> https://godoggocafe.com/2023/03/03/throwback-friday-street-art-the-other-half-by-ivor-steven/

Today’s “Throwback” article was originally posted in September 2018

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









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://www.amazon.com.au/Perceptions-Ivor-Steven/dp/1387487302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RD27PWFI9JPS&keywords=perceptions+by+ivor+steven&qid=1676894211&s=books&sprefix=Perceptions%2Cstripbooks%2C1174&sr=1-1

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) March 2023

Throwback Friday, The Time-Machine’s Secret Code, by Ivor Steven

Copied from my article on “Go Dog Go Cafe” today >>
http://godoggocafe.com/2023/02/24/the-time-machines-secret-code/

A Poem From Early March 2019:
Well here l am, back in hospital again and feeling anxious about whether I am going to be fit enough to fly to NewYork and Philadelpha in just seven weeks time.



The Time-Machine’s Secret Code (Revised)

I’m no stranger to this land

The warm hourglass sand

Is drifting past my hand

I’m no stranger to this room

Time has me back here too soon

I’ve yet to go on my trip to the moon

I’m no stranger to this road

Time has me carrying destiny’s load

I’m here after my latest episode

I wait for a new download

From the time-machine’s secret code

I’m no stranger to this hospital door

Again, I’m grounded in ward four

But I will beat this unheralded war

And the nurses will say hello, and goodbye Ivor







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://www.amazon.com.au/Perceptions-Ivor-Steven/dp/1387487302/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RD27PWFI9JPS&keywords=perceptions+by+ivor+steven&qid=1676894211&s=books&sprefix=Perceptions%2Cstripbooks%2C1174&sr=1-1

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) February 2023

Throwback Friday, The Oven Sky, by Ivor Steven

Copied from my article on “Go Dog Go Cafe” today >> https://godoggocafe.com/2023/02/17/throwback-friday-the-oven-sky-by-ivor-steven/

It’s a hot 103’F here in Geelong this afternoon, so appropriately my Throwback Friday poem “The Oven Sky”, from February 2019, is my repost for today.

The Oven Sky




The summer flowers have faded and gone

Wilting leaves, look like the devils blight

My Calendar declares Autumn is almost here

But it’s still summer in the city

Remaining hot and dusty, here on my plot

All the dogs are panting, searching for a cool block

Singed birds have refused to fly in the oven sky

Today’s furnace, is the night’s unwanted heater

Dry rot is crumbling, under the burning sun

Fat rain drops have forgotten their landing spots

And the drought smiles at us with disdain

As we gasp and forlornly wait for a cool change









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:

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) February 2019

Throwback Friday, Eerie Sky, Teasing Rain, by Ivor Steven

Throwback Friday, Eerie Sky, Teasing Rain, by Ivor Steven

Here in Geelong today we had some cool summer showers, which reminded me of the 2020 summer, when the devastating bushfires were raging throughout Australia, and in late January, we were in desparate need of some relieving summer rain.
Feature Image Above: I’m standing in light rain, at the end of my lane, but the sky is still a smokey haze, which is very eerie…..

Left. A smokey beach in the morning  Right. Looking straight at the sun on the beach

Left. The smokey sky and sun at end of my lane. Right. The thunderstorm this afternoon


Eerie Sky, Teasing Rain

The eeriness is hard to explain

Our sky is smokey again

But here I stand in the rain

At the end of my dusty lane

Smelling the stench of our fiery haze

Now mixed with the aroma of wet maize

I’m stunned, and unearthly amazed

As Thor’s neon lights add to my daze

This summer storm is yet to fully expound

Tiny drops are struggling to cover the ground

The day’s hot, but our sun cannot be found

And this afternoon’s darkness leaves me spellbound




Footnote: When I was about to post this article, the heavy rain did come…. At last the sky did start crying over the fires of South-Eastern Australia, and gave our exhausted firefighters a timely reprieve.






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:

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) January 2020

Throwback Friday, I’m A Dreamer, by Ivor Steven

This is a copy of my article that I posted on “Go Dog Go Cafe” early this morning >> https://godoggocafe.com/2023/01/27/throwback-friday-im-a-dreamer-by-ivor-steven/

Lately I have been reading the poems I wrote while I was hostpital 4 years ago, recovering from 2 strokes that had occured only 7 weeks apart. Needless to say, I was down and out, and looking back through my writings during those difficut months, I am both surprised and fascinated at how I was able cope and still managed to produce so many emotion pieces from the confines of my hospital bed. Todays poem “I’m A Dreamer”, as is my way, has been slightly revised.




I’m A Dreamer (Revised)

I am here on a hospital bed, life’s not quite right

Today’s window, is out of sight

I sense that the sun did rise and the day is now alight

Answering the sky, I’m a dreamer of the night

Morning thoughts of the day ahead, within this quiet

I could be in the park, flying my orange kite

Under a cool verandah, riding my silver bike

On the surf beach, cleansing myself of this blight

Lying on warm sand, sunbathing my body beyond white

Reality strikes, I’m here waiting for the next test’s bite






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:

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) January 2023

Throwback Friday, Time In A Turbulent Sea, by Ivor Steven

  >> https://godoggocafe.com/2023/01/20/throwback-friday-time-in-a-turbulent-sea-by-ivor-steven/

A poem I wrote in early February 2019, while recovering from my third stroke. I have slightly revised a few words, and altered the title – originally “Time and the Sea”



Time In A Turbulent Sea

My time, weeks, days, and hours have gone

My time, between one procedure and the next

Time to explore this healing castle

Time to write about realities and dreams

Time to chat to eager listeners

Time to observe the people living within

Time to think about the world’s problems

Time to visualise pictures of tomorrow

I am not a patient in his bed

I am free-standing and waiting instead

I am a walking and talking local poet

I am not allowed to vacate the site

They want me near, to study my plight

They want me here, to secure my bed

They need me near, to look into my mind

They need me here, so I am easy to find





Solstafir – Midaftann, Translated Lyrics

Mid-Evening

Now I have come home

After a journey on the deep seas.

The wave was so high,

The saltiness ate everything up.

I drowned in a black hole,

I pulled at the hand of death.

So high, it was so high,

And the moon lighted a path, yes the moon high in the sky,

And the moon lighted a path, yes the moon lighted a path.

So high, so high, wave of the sins, wave of the sins.






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:

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) January 2023

Throwback Friday, There’s a Penguin In My Courtyard, by Ivor Steven

 / IVOR20 / >> http://godoggocafe.com/2023/01/13/throwback-friday-theres-a-penguin-in-my-courtyard-by-ivor-steven/

Today I was prompted to revise my poem from June 2020, because I had just received a lovely hand-designed “Penguin Christmas Card” from my Philadelphia cousin.






There’s a Penguin In My Courtyard (Revised)


my courtyards a frozen pond

cold enough for a penguin

shards of ice lay upon the ground

and a crisp sharpness cuts the sound

of frost covered songbirds unsilenced

as fernery fronds curl in glaciated defiance

in the corner hangs a frigid spider’s web

above the crystlised succulent flower bed

and in a white sky the sun’s ambient saffron disc

again predicts that golden dawns do exist









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:

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) January 2023