Tag: Photo Prompts

The Communities Leap Of Faith. “Pako Festa”, Geelong

Over on Weekly Prompts, this weekend’s challenge is:  Leap. Please go and visit their fabulous site by clicking >>HERE

Yesterday (Saturday), I went to Geelong’s annual Pako Festa event, a gathering, celebrating the colourful multicultural societies that live in harmony within Geelong’s community. These people who have come from all around the world, have taken a giant leap of faith to resettle their lives here in Geelong. There were over 25 different nationalities represent in the glorious parade, and I’ll let my photos below do all the talking today….. I hope there’s not too many photos, but as you can imagine the parade took well over an hour to go pass me !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  March 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Not So Wise, But My Size

The midweek challenge on Weekly Prompts is T-Shirt Wisdom. An interesting subject/prompt for me, as I am a bit of a T-shirt buyer when I’m on my trips away, and  the below photos are from my collection of T-shirts……. And please go and visit the fabulous “Weekly Prompts” site by clicking >>HERE

Below: My China trip T-Shirts…

Below: My cruise to the New Caledonia Islands

Below: My cruise to New Zealand

Below: The trip to New York and Philadelphia, “Dreams of the Heart”

Below: Gifts from my sister-in-law when visiting Thailand

Below: My ‘Doctor Who’ T-Shirt….           &    a gift from my Canadian uncle

Below: Leonard Cohen T-Shirts (Of course)

Below: “Hanne Kah”, from Germany, who I meet at a music venue in Geelong…. A Geelong Music Festival T-Shirt, from 5 years ago, and the T-Shirt my sister bought for me, when I got home hospital, in time for Christmas 2018….

 

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Feb 2020

 

 

Something New

The First Challenge of 2020 is Something New

From today the Word Prompts and Photo Challenges will cease to be separate. They have merged the twice-weekly challenges and given each of them the new combined title of Word/Photo Challenge. Please go visit their exciting new Format, by clicking on .>>HERE

Something New

 

I’m at that age, I don’t need material things

Too old for men’s fashion earrings

No more swanky clothes or fancy shoes

And I don’t like trendy blue and red tattoos

I’m now alone, and live a simple life

You could balance my belongs on a kitchen knife

These days I store myself in a computer cloud

Photos, music and my poems, of which I’m proud

 

Today’s six days after Christmas

But I’m still expecting undelivered business

An annual package from Philadelphia

That’s probably been misplaced by festive hysteria

Then I spot a parcel in the letterbox

Which I excitedly unwrap,, a glorious card and socks

Not just plain socks, but a sporty printed pair

Teary, I read the card, and my heart yearns to be there

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Jan 2020

Love Surrounds Every Tree

The final photo challenge of the year “Weekly Prompts is: The Tree!  Please go and visit their fabulous by clicking >> Here

Love Surrounds Every Tree.

 

In Geelong we’ve a fancy Christmas tree

Floating on Corio Bay, for everyone to see

The Tree’s alight every night

Full of electric candles, shining bright

Also there’s a Tree at our council park

However he’s looking slightly stark

And here, under my verandah, I’ve a little Tree

Standing below our Tullawalla sign, for all the family to see

 

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Dec 2019

It Was Time To Leave

This weekend the photo challenge on Weekly Prompts is: Clock the Time. I’ve chosen an older poem, so I only have to copy and paste. Be sure to visit the fabulous Weekly Prompts site by clicking >>HERE

It Was Time To Leave

 

It’s time to tidy up my mess

Clean up the room and get dressed

It’s time to pack my suitcase

Fill the travel bag and vacate this place

It’s time to put on my famous rocker shoes

And walk away from this dream so true

It’s time to say heartfelt goodbyes

To these wonderful Philadelphia guys

It’s time for final hugs and kisses

Sad farewells and best wishes

It’s time for my usual emotional tears

Separate myself from these every day cheers

It’s time to flyaway from a land of Dragons and fairies

Leave this magical world of faraway families

It’s time to say a million thank you’s

For making my stay a Really Real great do

It’s time for me to travel back home

With glorious memories of this mystical thunder dome

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Nov 2019

Odd Photos

This weekend’s Photo Challenge on Weekly Prompts is, Not The Norm! And over the last few weeks, I’ve taken some rather odd photos, that are “Not The Norm” , of every day life here in Geelong…. Click >>Here, to visit ‘The Weekly Prompts’ fabulous site

A hail-storm at the Box Office Cafe yesterday, and Chris and his dog Lily, looking worried

At the Box Office Cafe again, the two photos are of the framed pictures hanging up in the toilets. The next photo is of some wall art, in the back patio area….All unusual, to say the least

Geelong’s CBD, has numerous works of street art, down the back lane-ways

Another piece of street. And then I was visiting the Valhalla Bar (Yes the same place I go to for one my poetry recital nights) for refreshments, and I took this photo…. apparently his name is Westie, and he has a hole in the front of the bucket to have a drink… very odd….

On the way home I needed a bite to eat, and wow ! a Philadelphia Cheesesteak in the main street of Geelong…. Now I’m home, trying on my new shirt from Kuala Lumpur, a gift handed to me Thursday, by my dear pen-friend from Malaysia, a beautiful shirt, certainly “Not The Norm”, to be chatting to her, cheek to cheek, and truly a lovely day, we spent together ………..

Oddly, I’ve not yet posted this Leonard Cohen, song and video clip…. enjoy……

 

Ivor Steven (c)  Nov 2019

 

Flame and Sorrow

Here is my article, in response to, this weekend’s,  Weekly Prompts Challenge, to the Colour Challenge FLAME! …. I’ve selected a song by Icelandic band ‘Solstafir’ for the topic “Flame”…. After you’ve watched the video, you will understand why I chose Solstafir’s song Lagnaetti, which translates to ‘Low Night’….. Below I’ve attached the translated lyrics, and the fascinating music/video of ‘Solsafir’s’, Lagnaetti… I do hope the readers enjoy this interesting piece, and the finale Flame

The English translation to the lyrics of “Lagnaetti” a song by Solstafir
Versions:
Where are you now? I can’t find you here.
I sit by your side; there’s no heat.
But everything must pass on, death’s last custom.
I hurt and betrayed you in my ugly game.
The price is so high with the heart at a doorway.
The bitter feeling of hate, myself always tormented.
In the cruel clutches of death, the sorrow hewed at the string.
Already miss you and call you my love.
I try to stand up straight, but I know I’ll end alone.
Because the black hatred in the heart is our Lord,
The supply of life has fallen into a coma.
Given up completely, the struggle died, now I crawl on my knees.
On a knife’s blade dancing wobbly and sore.
Ivor Steven (c)  Nov 2019

 

 

My Book Covers

 This weekend the Photo Challenge, on Weekly Prompts is, Cover. Today I’m experimenting and trying something completely different for me. I will be attempting to produce a “Video Book Cover”…… For my readers that might not know, the third anniversary of Leonard Cohen’s passing, is on the 7th of November, and appropriately, I’m posting this article as a tribute to Leonard Cohen…. The Book Cover photos, are of the Leonard Cohen books I have in my collection here in my writers haven…..The video is short piece that I’ve created, that goes for 28 seconds, and to play the video click on the arrow in the bottom left of the frame. .. . …however despite the small duration, I am ecstatic with the final outcome of my Book –Cover

 

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Below, I’m attaching a very recent music/video of Leonard Cohen’s brilliant poem, “Happens to The Heart”, his lyrics are superb and the visual effect of the video is definitely stunning……

 

Ivor Steven (c)  October 2019