Revolving Door by Joanne Olivieri

Night cries
A deafening silence

Restless storms
Pass through Dawn

Anxiety persists
Revolving door.

© Joanne Olivieri 2020

Listen to your heart by Joanne Olivieri

listen to your heart

and embrace what your soul seeks

live in the moment

©Joanne Olivieri 2020

Isolation due to pandemic by Joanne Olivieri

Advice from the elderly. Meaning me. It's tough right now for everyone and the impact from not being able to leave your home is enormous in many ways.  I wanted to comment on this because as many of you know I have been disabled and home bound due to health issues for almost three years now. I use to get out all the time so when I got to where I could no longer leave my home It was a huge blow to me.

So, I understand where this can be difficult for all of you. What I have found, though is when you have this time to yourself you can focus on your passions, whatever it is you enjoy doing. Whether it be art, music, writing, cooking, reading etc.  Take this time to enjoy the freedom you have to explore your heart and what it is that makes you happy. 💖

Unbridled Passion by Joanne Olivieri

Lips, caressing 

bare skin

touching my essence

in unbridled passion

Refreshed by Joanne Olivieri

Refreshed

Ocean waves beckon

cleansing the chaos

in my mind

sun kissed, refreshed

Poem and photos taken at Ocean Beach in San Francisco by Joanne Olivieri

Autumn Moon by Joanne Olivieri

Autumn moon

embrace my heart

with melancholy whispers

until dawn

Photo and poem by Joanne Olivieri

Autumn Rebirth by Joanne Olivieri

We flourish

year beyond year

in bountiful succulence

only to be peeled

in succession

rind into flesh

scattering seeds 

of responsibility

our pulp exposed

it's juices sucked

through a sieve

secreting droplets

of expectations

until we become 

a dehydrated cornucopia

awaiting replenishment

in Autumns ascent.

The Creation Times

A huge thank you to Jatinder Aulakh for publishing my work in the India based The Creation Times. 

http://thecreationtimes.com/my_files/THE%20CREATION%20TIMES%20SEP-DEC%202019-.pdf

Soulful Reflections by Joanne Olivieri book review by Christine Tabaka

Soulful Reflections book review by Christine Tabaka

Exclusively on Lulu.

Joanne Olivieri Author Spotlight Book Page

Ordering and Detailed Information Author Spotlight Page

Quietude by Joanne Olivieri

Presenting my new full length poetry book Quietude now available on LuLu.

Quietude Info and Ordering

Twilight Moon

twilight moon

a slave to my desires

fill me with your darkness

ravage my essence

with nocturnal rhythms.

Photo and poem by Joanne Olivieri Joanne Olivieri Website

Becoming Michelle Obama book review by Joanne Olivieri

Becoming by Michelle Obama is the most powerful and inspiring book I have ever read.  In my opinion, it should be a mandatory reading assignment for young people everywhere.  

Her detailed, honest and candid words make you feel as if you are experiencing her unique journey through life while walking beside her.  From her young years on the South side to the halls of Princeton and Harvard and the marble halls of the white house you experience love, heart wrenching loss, and everything in between. I found myself, smiling, laughing, crying and feeling empowered with each turn of the page.

A strong woman with deep conviction and passion for her family she was able to balance the demands of Motherhood and her obligations for the greater good as FLOTUS.  Her passion for children and her community fueled her talents to create programs which mentored and taught young people that, yes, they are good enough, to get where they wanted to be and create what they wanted in life.  She mentored and inspired so that they would be inspired to do the same. Reading her words certainly inspired me to do more.

Yes, she overcame great obstacles all through her life right up through being First Lady. Racism was rampant as it is now and there were always questions, “am I good enough?” Her upbringing and confidence got her through all of the obstacles with determination and grace.

You will also learn more about the inner workings of the political process and the white house.  Michelle tells it like it is. She doesn't mince words when sharing white house stories. I've always had a great distaste for the political process and reading this portion of the book during these uncertain and hate filled times which our country is currently experiencing just made me feeling nothing but a great disdain for the current administration.  To read about all the hard work that was done through the Obama administration and to see that it has all been reversed now is just sickening to me. It is shameful.

All I can say is what a woman!!! Michelle Obama is the epitome of what  we all strive to be. She deeply cares about the greater good and that is rare this day and age. As I said I think this book should be mandatory in schools to inspire young people to reach their potential and coach them to mentor and help others in their own communities and neighborhood.

While after reading this book I know Michelle Obama would not want to throw her hat in the ring for POTUS and I don't blame her at all for not wanting it.  She would however, make an excellent leader for this country. She is a role model for all of us.

Read her book and by her example remember that “yes, you are good enough,.”