24 Poems ~ 24 Hours
Jana O’Dell is an author and poet from West Virginia. She has been diagnosed with several mental illnesses and uses writing to cope with daily struggles. Jana lives with her wife, their three children, and a host of fur babies. Jana O’Dell's independently published books that are all available on Amazon include: Cyanide Kisses: The works of a manic, bipolar, dissociative mind.--- My Secrets are in the Stardust--- Magic in the Madness. Published works she can be found in: Poetry Marathon Anthology 2019 and 2020. Upon Arrival Solitude. Best Poets of 2019 Vol 3.
Periwinkle colored sand
clouds that spread for miles
sourdough bread baking in the distance
skyscrapers obsolete,
as if finding a needle in a haystack.
The storefronts
displaying their magical fall treasures
as we all finally have beat the heat of Summer.
My version of the perfect day.
(Used 8 of 10 prompt words)
Under the twilight of the moon
standing
waiting
For her to cast over me
beaming her knowledge
into my every pore.
Excited to learn more
looking up
almost begging for her to take me in
as her own personal vessel.
Overlooking the city
as if I were a bird
soaring within the clouds
examining the fabric of life-
what each area holds dear,
knowing that within the jumbled puzzle of it all-
We are just a small speck of the wheel of life.
The breeze hits my hair as if it were calling my name
worried by my most recent choices
I embrace the chaos, confusion and sadness that overwhelm me
trusting in my intuitive nature,
my ancestral calling to be by the sea.
Losing everyone in my life who doesn’t understand,
doesn’t take the time to even try-
Hoping to find the end of my story to be what we all hope it will be-
a happy ending.
*Poem inspired by the book “True to Me” by Kay Bratt.
Being married in a small town is normal.
Being a married lesbian in a small town is like having three heads.
Having children to raise and watch grow is normal.
Having children as a lesbian couple is frowned upon and discouraged.
The loving parents who do what they feel is always best-
The care, thought and panic put into every decision-
every sacrifice….
Normal. States society.
Yet throw the word gay or lesbian in there-
Blasphemous! How dare they! Ruining the children! Inviting them into living a sinners world!
Craziness how one word can change the view of so many.
But my normal is just that…..
Normal.
The distance we sometimes feel-
also at times craving,
like an emptiness and wholeness
somehow all wrapped into one.
You love though,
something I never wish to feel apart from.
Hoping it will forever
always be
the closest memory I ever hold.
The water floats over my body
as if it were a cloud
coming to wash away my nightmares.
The lyrics slam into my soul
as if they had been born from within myself.
The calm takes me over
as I lay,
longing for peace-
for happiness.
“She turned the door handle and switched on the light”-
terrified of what may be lurking in the darkness.
Shaking,
teeth chattering,
mind running wild-
Only to soon realize,
the monster she was terrified of
was within her.
(Last line of The Curiosities as my first line)
Concrete jungle
yet nature still thrives
demanding to be seen-
admired-
praised.
Never giving up hope
that someone
may acknowledge it’s beauty.
Coffee and change,
the smell of what tomorrow may bring.
Strong, delicious-
like her lips
as they press against mine-
Searching for the roadmap
to bring me the sublime.