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HTR Stevens Nov 2020
The wind is whispering to the trees:
"Come! Come! Do speak to me."
The trees reply, "Please send the breeze
Our leaves break loose and free!"
HTR Stevens May 2019
Never have I felt so gay,
Never have I felt so happy;
Gone are the tests today,
Oh, what a happy memory!
Gone are the tests that I loathe,
Gone, gone are they forever,
Ne’er are my feelings better,
Oh, what a day to remember!
My heart sings my thankfulness,
My face shows my joy,
My legs jump for happiness,
Most found in a boy!
Ne’er have I felt like this before
Oh, so very light and gay,
Oh, my heart used to be so sore,
As goes and passes each day!
What is better to remember
Than a test that has gone by?
But yet, yet, all is not over,
The results may make me cry!
This is from back in my school days...
HTR Stevens Mar 2018
Poetry is like an addiction,
It is such a strange condition;
I cannot sit, I cannot stand,
I’ve no rest till I grab a pen;
To write down all I feel and see,
Compelled to write all shown to me.
Thoughts and words float into my head,
Be it I’m eating or in bed;
I welcome them all with delight.
Consciousness raised to a new height;
As we have to earth a live wire,
Thoughts need to be controlled, like fire.
I’m bubbling to tell all around,
Your thoughts are alive!...write them down.
Age
HTR Stevens May 2020
Age
Let not age by days be told;
When his wit grows dull and slow
Like a river at its low,
Then only is a man old.
HTR Stevens Dec 2017
They tell me that I am no good;
They lock me up in jail.
They give me all the sloppy food
They tell me I have failed.

They take away my self-respect;
They tell me no one cares,
They tell me you will soon forget
I’m part of your nightmares.

They say they’ll throw away the key;
My cell is dark and cold.
By and by you will forget me
As I grow weak and old.

The days grow short, the nights grow long;
My time is running out
Like the end of a dreary song
I have no breath to shout.

A jailbird has no wings to fly,
Not like your feathered friends;
A jailbird can just wait to die;
His way to make amends.
HTR Stevens Sep 2019
All youths admire thee to a high degree,
Thou fair image of youth: Vitality.
Thy fragrance of youth; thy zeal and fire;
Steadfastness for Truth; these youths admire.
HTR Stevens Aug 2019
A lying tongue and smiling lips!
Blood dripping claws at finger-tips!
To find my friend and foe are one;
The truth drops on me like a ton.

First, come the shock and disbelief –
Then acceptance with flowing grief…
Then anger wells up in my heart.
The mole has changed into a wart!

Betrayed by one who calls me friend,
What foe will to such depths descend?
A coiled serpent beneath the grass…
I cannot simply let it pass!

I must blast it to kingdom come!
Treachery is a game to some!
I want blood, as my blood’s been drawn;
Shock has changed into hate by dawn.

The hate on my face must not show –
While I plan vengeance sweet and slow.
Death is too quick for treachery!
This foe must waste away slowly…

So shall justice be metered out…
Betrayal one jokes not about.
Here my words come to a rude end.
Be the same for my so-called friend!
HTR Stevens Jan 2019
In my dreams, my love, you will always be there…
Oft catching me out suddenly unaware:
Gently and softly we touch and kiss,
Lost in a sea of eternal bliss,
Like forever we will stay like this;
Always faithful to you, just to you, I swear.

A moment lasts forever, caught in a frame –
Every page I turn, the picture stays the same:
A being so ethereal and free,
Another like you will never be,
A mo with you an eternity;
Quietly in your ear I whisper your name.
HTR Stevens Apr 2020
Angel of my dreams,
We will meet again,
Where flows the clear stream,
And where falls the rain.
I looked down from my window,
In amazement I held my breath;
There I saw walking below,
Was you in your attire best.

I saw you last night,
Walking as in a dream,
In the bright moonlight,
Beautiful to the brim.
Your dress I could recognise
Even amongst a thousand.
My life would I sacrifice,
For your love in return.

What a blessing - to see you,
Your graceful figure,
Glistening like morning dew,
Blends in with nature.
I can recognise you,
Amongst a thousand,
No one is like you,
None has your fragrance!
HTR Stevens Jun 2018
A helpful hand and a smiling face’s
Far more loving than beauty and grace.
Kind words will sweep away a person’s anger,
Hard words will surely cause more danger.

A smiling face is like the moon;
An angry face’s hotter than noon.
Let not beauty, let not grace,
But only love be on your face!
HTR Stevens Jul 2018
In my little car
I go near and far,
To a  distant star
Where there is no war!

There peace reigns supreme;
Life is a light beam;
Things are what they seem;
Dream within a dream!
HTR Stevens Sep 2018
Why should I be reminded of you,
Now that we’re apart?
Let not your fair image be renewed,
Deep in my heart.
Let the past forever,
Return to me never;
Let it be wiped from my memory
Eternally…eternally…
Though we may meet,
Now in the street,
We will not stop each other,
Nor greet with a nod or smile,
But take each other for a stranger,
And look away all the while…
HTR Stevens May 2018
Before me, the path like an endless chain
Stretches into the infinite unknown.
O Lord, be the path filled with joy or pain,
Roses or thorns, I dare not walk alone.

O Lord, at times when I am seized with fear
I need Someone whose guidance I can seek.
O Lord, I need to know that Thou art near,
So very near that with Thee I can speak.

Be Thou, my Lord, the Sign-Post at each crossroad;
The Compass of my vessel out at sea:
Let not the waves o’erturn my sailing-boat
Ere I reach the shore of Eternity.
HTR Stevens Sep 2018
I am a little scallop,
Bobbing slowly to and fro.
Year by year bigger and bigger
I hope to grow and grow.

I am only tiny;
Give me a little break.
Hear my little ditty…
Help me! Go for a steak.

I am a little scallop,
Awake in my cosy bed
With my brothers and sisters.
I am a wee bit afraid.

I wish not to be eaten;
I must quickly speed away.
I just will not be beaten;
I will live another day!

Life is just a winner’s game;
I must move fast as I can.
‘Survivor’ being my name,
I will not be caught by man!
HTR Stevens Nov 2017
There is an attic in your house
Quite the place I’d like to browse
What is in it, I’d like to see
Things unwanted, full of mystery

Things valued once upon a time
Now you cannot buy for a dime
Old but too new to throw away
Things you may reach for any day

Vinyls, and such music sublime!
Too much stuff to fit in my rhyme
Christmas trees that have lost their shine
Bottles of fine old vintage wine

Old toys for which you used to pine
Once more you may search for and find
Like trophies from another time
Throwing out would be such a crime

So keep them – you know where they are
Your doll house, train set or your car
Toys you may play with once again
With the zest that may still remain.
HTR Stevens Oct 2019
I ‘kept watch’ at the Pearly Gate
While St. Peter went for his tea;
As a ‘bouncer’ I was third-rate  -
One and all just slipped in for free!
HTR Stevens Feb 2018
A life of music I’ll share with you
A life of music we’ll both go thro’
A life of music with just us two
A life of music beneath the blue
A life of music! Come, hold my hand
A life of music in this dreamland.
Come, my Beloved, I’ll dance with you
Come, my Love, the roses we will view
The sunshine is ever bright above
Come, Naferina, and be my Love!

A life of music I’ll share with you
A life of music we’ll both go thro’
Come, let us dance in this sunshine land
Step together on this lustrous sand
Step together! In this dance employ!
Step together! Gloominess destroy!
Youth is like green grass which the winds sway
‘Tis a time to be youthful in May
The sun is shining brightly above
Come, Naferina, and be my Love!
HTR Stevens Feb 2019
Not a soul stopped Jim from roam’in
                      the wild wild sea
While the foams o’er him were roll’in
                      and down went he
Into the depth of the water;
                      he cried in vain.
Mermaids crowned him in wonder;
                      he woke not again.

With eyes closed, his lips half smil’in –
                     down down went he
And friends’ calls were not far reach’in
                     into the sea
While dreamt he of gardens pretty –
                     far, far from real
Which were dreamt ne’er by you nor me -;
                     he’s dreaming still.
HTR Stevens Oct 2017
I have a silver castle in the sky
One day, we will visit it, you and I
We will sail down the river, gently row
Eyes affixed on my castle, from below.

My beautiful castle is shining bright
Surreal and surrounded by mist at night
We will keep rowing until morning dawns
We will haul in nets of shimmering prawns.

My castle in the sky is very far
We will never reach it by boat or car
But in my mind it will always hold true
All is possible at the time of Yule.

In dreams my castle can be anywhere
Wherever I wish it, it will be there
Between you and me, no one else should know
My dream castle is made of ice and snow.

In my dreams I should also let you know
Castle walls glisten with silver and gold
Dreams of castles in moonlight all aglow
Piled sky-high with treasure and wealth untold.

Can I tell you, while I am feeling bold
Sadly, comes dawn, there is nought to behold
All the same, dream I will and dream I must
Tho' at dawn, even castles turn to dust.
HTR Stevens Sep 2018
I raced across from field to field,
Felt the wind sweeping past my face;
Feast’d my eyes on the golden yield:
On the padi dancing with grace.

A rain-drop rested on my palm,
A silver-drop from heavens high.
Nature’s cool freshness is a balm,
Rests the mind aft resting the eye.

I saw a youthful sunny face
Whose eyes were flushed with a soft light;
As at it I did gape and gaze,
The world grew dim, the face grew bright.

I shook my head, I blinked my eyes;
Across the face danced a soft glow.
It smiled and dimmed into the skies;
I looked everywhere high and low.

I saw it thrice, I lost it thrice;
I missed it a hundred times more.
It seemed to tease with gentle eyes,
And with parting smiles left me sore.
HTR Stevens Nov 2017
Christmas is here! Time for good cheer!
Once more the best time of the year!
TV programmes; same old! Same old!
We love them! Stick with what we know.

The season we’re celebrating;
All year long we have been waiting.
Eating food we don’t have to make
From scratch. Nor do we need to bake.

Shops sprinkled with white Christmas dust;
All things sparkling! All things a must!
Time for fun, for laughter, for joy!
From “on-line” get the latest toy.

Buy in haste, regret at leisure…
Toys that give us short-term pleasure.
Turkeys vote for Christmas, we know…
Brussels sprouts, and all things that grow.

Life is “hard labour” thro’ the year;
Comes Christmas, pop champagne, not beer!
Heston’s puddings have all sold out;
“That is a nightmare!” some may shout.

Christmas passed. New Year comes around…
Is snow lying thick on the ground?
We have survived another year;
Very soon ‘Springwatch’ will be here.

Creepy crawlies and birds that sing,
Showers with the first buds of Spring,
Lambs frolicking, pretty flowers grow…
Also, weeds that we did not sow…
HTR Stevens Dec 2021
Love called me, Love called me, Love called me
But I drew back; in sin was lost.
"O sinner, I come to look for thee;
For thee I died upon the cross.
O my beloved, return with me:
The good Shepherd, with Him go home.
From the jaws of the wolf I free thee
Come home with Me and no more roam."
Hear the voice of Love: "Come home..., come home...
Come home, beloved, and no more roam..."

O'er mountain-tracks Love strove and found me
Blinded by the darkness of sin.
"I am the Way...Follow Me!" said He;
All my conflicts melted within.
Long in darkness, naught could my eyes see;
I gazed now at my Saviour's face:
Full of tenderness and sympathy,
His face shining with love and grace.
Love, in a still voice: "Come home...come home...
Come home, beloved, and no more roam..."
I found this poem I'd written many years ago when I was 16...
HTR Stevens Nov 2018
My spirits are low –
My wits thus made slow,
My thoughts stormy as the monsoon,
Can’t be subdued ev’n by the moon
Which hangs in state up the cold sky –
Looks on earth, laughs and mocks my cry.

A truly calm moon!
Life is a buffoon;
Life is a jester that mocks man
Which man clings to as to a friend!
Great kings may frown at their jesters;
Yet, keep them to hide their slippers!

A man is so small –
Scarce a dot at all!
Yet, man carries in his small head
What cannot on this earth be laid.
It is life that laughs and mocks him;
Yet, mockery is man’s own whim!
HTR Stevens May 2018
As the sunshine smiles thro’
Clouds that shed heart-broken tears,
Letters ebbing strength renew,
Cheer the heart and rid its fears.

Distance keeps us apart –
Each other we cannot see,
But – united at heart,
Is close as friends can e’er be.

Two people – worlds apart,
Who met by a twist of fate…
Who could tell True Friendship’s art?
Its growth nothing can abate.
HTR Stevens Jan 2018
Death to life, life to death, it comes unsought;
We view each death with such fear;
Many deaths had we passed thro’, knowing not
Our eternity is here.

As in each life we try to do our best;
Each star to do its true will;
But in reality who can digest
Truth? It is a bitter pill.

It’s easy to think of a Redeemer
Who came to save one and all;
Individuals need not lift a finger;
It must be against the Law!

Each man in his heart must be his own Christ;
Each divine spark runs its course;
Seeking above life, above death, to rise
According to cosmic laws.
HTR Stevens Oct 2018
Should nimble Muse outspread her wings and fly,
Just wave your hand and to her smile good-bye.
HTR Stevens Jul 2019
The crickets jump...! The crickets hop...!
Chirping in the dark, they won't stop...
Telling me where they are and where they're not
But they are not there, when I reach the spot.
Little crickets, the chirps you make -
Oftimes your location is faked!
Where are you? Along the long grass I look - ;
I just want to give you a gentle stroke.
Little crickets, you're such a tease!
You jump! Then you ride on the breeze...
You sing thro' the night, on a summer day;
I listen to your song from far away.
HTR Stevens Sep 2019
Too often has the word “love” been profaned;
He is shallow who loves and loves again.
Tho’ “I love you” sweet words may seem to be,
But, they have been used how often and free!
False, false indeed are the words: “I love you”;
Bright and glamorous like the evening dew.
HTR Stevens Feb 2018
Give your heart away;
Day will turn to night!
You won’t find your way,
Ev’n in broad day-light!

Give your heart away?
You’d be better blind,
For lit by Love’s ray,
His / Her faults are divine!
HTR Stevens Aug 2022
On a hill far away from the city
In a beautiful distant galaxy,
Live a boy and a girl so happily...
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy.
Where the stars like glitter forever shine,
Where the rivers bubble with rose red wine,
While on sweet apples and oysters they dine,
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy.
Where the weather will always be just fine,
High among the stars, floating on cloud nine,
Whispering to each other "You are mine"...
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy
Daddy he loves Mummy
Mummy she loves Daddy.
As if written by children
HTR Stevens Jul 2020
Peeping out from my rabbit hole,
I cannot see a single soul.
The virus is floating about,
But is it okay to go out?
The economy is going down the drain...
Some say that to ‘stay in’ will be double pain.
Play Russian Roulette: just roll the dice...
If you know not what to do is wise!
HTR Stevens Feb 2018
Blow, o wind, across the land,
And toss the leaves on trees,
And cause the huge waves to rise,
In the blue stormy seas…

Blowing ‘cross the ship’s high deck,
Let your fresh breath cool my neck;
Let my spirits with yours rise,
To meet the clouds in the skies.
HTR Stevens May 2018
Shall I call you “Bruno”?
Shall I call you “Beano”?
What is in a name?
Are they not the same?
Both have world-wide fame.
Names are just a game.
You are very happy
Whate’er your name may be.
Paw tapping on the phone;
Teeth gnawing on a bone;
Dancing around the room -
Lovely flowers in bloom;
Watching TV cartoon;
Mesmerised by the moon...
A rose smells just as sweet,
Whatever name you tweet.
HTR Stevens Jan 2019
Under the Christmas tree
Are toys for you and me:
First we have our personal phones;
Now, we can each have our own drones…
They fly high – they fly low –
Hovering to and fro.
Like eerie will-o’-the-wisp they fly…
Appearing like dust specks in the sky…
They fly high…they fly low…
We can’t see where they go…
Suddenly here! Silently there!
Like ghosts, they show up everywhere!
Like aliens, out of a nightmare –
Disappearing, ev’n as we stare…
Under the Christmas tree
Are drones for you and me…
HTR Stevens Oct 2018
We who have touched the heights of ecstasy,
See fantasies become reality,
Swimming out to sea as far as we dare,
Have to experience the depths of despair,
Living on the edge of a nightmare,
Not knowing what can be lurking there.

Such is our lot – the souls that climb the heights!
Shall we call it a blessing or a blight?
Living near the edge of insanity…
Joy is heaven – sorrow the bitter sea.
Between ecstasy and agony,
Our dreams become our reality.
HTR Stevens May 2018
Tho’ seas and mountain barriers may us part,
Your image will still remain in my heart:
A being supernal yet darkly wise,
Your healing sympathy in cold disguise,
- Your character can never be defined,
With inconsistency of every kind.
One who knows you learns to love and adore,
Even when you split a heart into four!
HTR Stevens Apr 2021
The very big and the very small
Get together at a ball.
Invite guests of similar size
Not a room full of elephants and mice!
HTR Stevens Sep 2021
For nine years I have stayed here -
But time seems to pass so fast
With friends loyal and sincere,
And with those you love and trust!

Farewell, o Bukit Merah -
Cheerful faces, willing hands!
With peeps like these you'll go far;
May this red hill firmly stand!
HTR Stevens Jun 2019
Life is like a ferris – up and down.
You rise so high! then you touch the ground…
Your head is turned by colour and sound.
You marvel, your feelings are profound.
Altho’ not always fun while it lasts –
Every so often life is a blast!
HTR Stevens Dec 2017
If I am Queen of Scotland and you are King
We will wander thro’ all the castles, you and I.
Who knows what the years ahead will bring?
One thing I know, we will see endless Skye.

We will feel so small but yet so free;
Mother Earth steady beneath our feet
On every blade of grass, to the highest tree
We can curl up and sink into sleep.

Scotland, O Scotland! Here we come whilst we are still at one,
Your pipers, bagpipes and drums tug at our heartstrings
When dusk falls and all is said and done,
Only the Gods know what the future brings.

My heart yearns for you, your passion and your fire;
Your world is strangely dark and deep.
Can a heart smoulder with such love and desire,
Mesmerised by your magic and mysteries, and secrets you keep.
HTR Stevens Jun 2020
You can buy me silver, you can buy me gold,
You can buy all the treasure the world can hold.
All that you can give, your generosity may overflow
There is naught you can swap for my freedom - the answer is "no".
You can't have my sunshine, you can't have my rainbow,
You can't have my raindrops, the answer is still "no".
The world is my freedom, if I tread on no one's toes.
You who deprive me of freedom are my mortal foes.
You can't lock me up if I have done no wrong;
Injustice always reeks of a yucky pong.
The world is open to all who belong;
Not letting my freedom go for a song.
The sun is shining...I dance in the rain -
Freedom like glitter tingling thro' my vein.
HTR Stevens Aug 2020
Born of freedom, wild birds that rule the air!
Have I but a view of earth just as fair:
Of impassive mountains, of golden sand,
Of vast continents that link man to man,
Of seas their depths human eyes cannot reach,
Of beautiful islands, oh, what a treat!
Of grass stretching like a green carpet wide,
Of worms, snails that across green grass glide.
Can I but feel the playful gentle breeze
That ofttimes I see kissing leaves of trees,
That dancing in suspended gaiety
Do free some of my earthly cares from me!
To see these birds flying is ecstasy -
To think not of my inability!
Birds, fly on! my heart make light, my soul lift!
At least mankind share the joy of your gift!
HTR Stevens Apr 2018
Who’s greater than a friend,
A friend who loves you?
A friend who helps you plan
Things both old and new.

When you have made a friend,
Never let him / her go,
Let not your friendship end,
With sorrow and blows.

If you have made a friend,
Never let him / her go,
Let not your friendship end
For friendship is gold.

Who can live without friends
In this world unknown?
Who can live till the end,
In this world, alone?

Pray, do remember this,
For I was once told:
“Love is the way to bliss,
Everywhere you go.”
HTR Stevens Apr 2019
Far out in the ocean,
I saw my lover waving to me;
Her hair flew in the wind;
Oh, her smile was sweet as could be!

As I stood on the shore,
The parting seemed like a dream to me;
Soon I was unable,
To distinguish my love from the sea.

Smaller and smaller grew,
The huge grand liner against the blue;
Yet was the little hand
Waving, waving its tearful adieu.

Oh, sweet little sister,
So very close and dear to my heart!
It was a sad dreamer,
Who realised that Death had shot its dart!

Oh, sweet little sister,
You dwell sadly in my memory;
You walk the earth no more,
But your voice I hear, your image see.
HTR Stevens Mar 2018
As many poets come and go,
I am but one;
When I’ve imparted what I know,
My work is done.

I am here just to say “Hello…”,
This niche in time;
To watch the world, to note its flow…
Put it in rhyme.

Whate’er people may think of me –
Good, bad or mad,
At heart I am vibrant and free;
For that I’m glad.

I bid you farewell now, my friend,
Tho’ we may meet
In distant worlds, should this one end –
As old friends greet…
HTR Stevens Dec 2021
Merry Christmas and all that
Do put on your tinsel hat
Humour does not go amiss
To one and all blow a kiss.

Rules are for some - not for all
Well! this is quite a close call
Remember to doff your hat
Aye, the Queen can greet the cat.

Twinkling stars and fairytale
Flying carpets never fail
From all our eyes drop the scales
Re-mix and spare the details.

Living in a "Wonderland":
My eyes can feel grit and sand
Like floating in outerspace
With a mask across my face.

Earth has had a thorough shake
The world is due a re-make
We'll see what lands on the top
For success, failure or flop.
HTR Stevens Mar 2020
In times of yore to this modern day
Men of all ages have in their way
Sought to do right, but excelled in wrong
My youthful friends, give ear to my song.

Saint William Blake, Muses’ poet-child,
Shelley Bysshe, Muses’ poet-wild -
Keats and others many more like them
Left for heaven when by earth condemn’d.
They in lifetime were out-casts part time;
Their works, since their deaths, were thought sublime.
Had but Shelley’s muse foreseen that morn,
He would have laughed and held earth in scorn!
Did earth find itself a pure lily,
Scornful of them in their poverty,
To see their faults and not their merits?
Faults they had but from earth inherit’d!

All meet on earth, good men and evil –
Here doth meet two, Christ and the Devil!
Here are many men true and divine
But more wicked men, with them combined
To fill this earth, on this earth aspread!
Here doth meet the evil and god-head!
Heaven and hell thus on earth doth mix –
Until God doth put a deep betwixt.
HTR Stevens Feb 2020
If you are a shooting star
On which you wish from afar,
You'll grant all your wishes true;
Every thought returns to you.
Remember that soon or late,
You are Master of your fate...
Like a "matching game" you play,
Each "move" goes part of the way
To "Victory", or"Try again"...
Life is fraught with joy and pain!
Nought done is ever in vain...
Tho' you creak under the strain!
Nought is ever forgotten...
All regrets are forgiven.
HTR Stevens Jan 2020
I kiss your eyes so you may sleep
Little baby, dream of my kiss
When into slumber you sink deep
And dream of happy morning bliss.
Love is on your innocent face;
You smile as the darkness creeps by.
In this world you are god-sent grace...
Your face shines as heav'n you espy.
I wish I can see what you see...
Beyond this world - sunk deep in sin.
Your young soul is happy and free
And you are deaf to this world's din.
Little baby, dream of my kiss
When you're grown up, remember this.
HTR Stevens May 2019
I know not whether I’m crazy,
To love you with such fire;
There is in you a quality
I cease not to admire.
Characters are sent from heaven,
Tho’ not all be heav’nly;
But all virtues are God-given –
Pray, sweet angel, tarry!
Write I like a fool, blind in love,
These last hours of your stay?
Let our messenger be the dove
When you are gone away.
There is in you a quality,
None to you must reveal;
Lest false superficiality
The Truth decides to steal.
Virtue should not be self-conscious,
Or ‘tis Hypocrisy;
May all your friends deem you precious –
Tho’ why, they cannot see.
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