Photo-Art & Poetry Books by Jobie Avonley
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Inspirational Poetry Book
Inspirational Poetry Book
Inspirational Poetry Book
Uplifting and inspiring poems and photos by Jobina (aka Jobie). Softbound & full color - makes a perfect gift for anyone - including you! Preview the complete book, and purchase "print on demand" here:
Poetry
Inspirational Poetry Book
Inspirational Poetry Book
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Inspirational Poetry Book
Art
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This Month's Poems*
Themes: Self-Government and Self-Respect
The Social Bottom Line
A college degree, Ms. Sweeney thought,
would prepare her for life, but —
that was before she was whisked off the floor
while English country dancing with Mr. Davis.
They twirled but never swirled.
She attended his parents’ renewal of vows,
and past his mother‘s approval test.
Yet, when the future they discussed
he looked askance; said he had another lady.
Leveled down in life’s triage, she wondered
“Who am I, if I belong to no one?”
Mr. Davis was the last gentleman with whom
she had official dates. Wonderful conversations
with fine chaps came and went. What stayed?
Her kind heart and validating life lesson —
there are no degrees for self-respect.
- Jobie Avonley
Destiny for the U.S.
Is democracy in decline in the USA?
Well, it’s up to us to say.
Even if we follow self-rule to its tomb
it’s not final. There’s still a fix.
Self-government can rise again.
Stick with it to the end -
if needed, await its Phoenix.
- Jobie Avonley
Poetry by Jobie Avonley
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Here – a Piece of Paper
Here, your listening ear
landing pad for creation.
Here, the potter’s wheel
centers imagination.
Here, chisel meets stone –
transfigures a world apart.
Here, the open door.
Here, the ships depart.
Here, the seedbed
and the watering can.
- Jobie Avonley
Joy for us!
I am
in awe of
mirrors.
They redirect
light to
touch us.
Oh Divine One
praise Your dispatch
of reflectors
of all kinds -
the faces, places
talents, that shine
Your grace
into darkened hearts
rekindling their flames.
I praise God for poetry -
like sunlight reflected off
deep blue bay waters
it brightens our days
brings joie de vivre
to you and me!
- Jobie Avonley
Carvings in Rock
It’s in the breaking of the seed
that new growth begins.
Purity of water has power
as strong as love.
When we break bread, do we
recall the farm workers’ bending backs?
Using Apple devices, do we dwell on the close
quarters of those toiling to make them?
Will we recall and empathize with the plight
of workers slaving for our creature comforts
when we let ourselves be touched, and no longer
toss our heads and say “Cry me a river”?
Crying out, crying for, lost humanity - if we
all united in that the flood of our caring
would break open calloused hearts.
As surely as ocean tides carve
new forms on coastal rock cliffs
we would carve new forms of
humane actions - guided by our
tenderness, newly broken open.
- Jobie Avonley
Courage in Poetry, by Jobie
SHADOW-WAR HERO
Once shadows were exciting!
Dark cloud shadows, with scent of coming rain
The shrinking shadow of a descending carrying-my-friend plane
Fan blade shadows, rotating over my summer reading
But lately, gloomy shadows have come creeping
across my mental landscape, screaming
fearfully ominous lies in my face,
as I’m forging ahead with good projects in my embrace.
“Why are you doing this at all?
“Somebody else could do it much better than you!”
“Your efforts for good are so small
nothing worthwhile will ever come through!”
I should have slammed the door in their faces!
They now hover over me, a black umbrella in all places,
blocking the light, suffocating what’s right.
Under their shadow, will I ever grow?
Hello, warm friend! I feel bouncing off you, the light of what’s true!
Can I grow across to you?
No. To be upright,
I, myself, have to head towards the light!
Thank you for your reflected light, it’s given me courage to fight.
I will destroy this tyrannical umbrella of lies by being wise.
When they’re not looking,
I’ll give them the boot with what’s true:
“Why are you doing this at all?”
I’m doing this because of my divine call.
over which you have no power at all!
“Somebody else could do it much better than you!”
There’s no one who’s “better” - what’s needed is my uniqueness;
but you can’t understand that - you represent mass hypnosis.
“Your efforts for good are so small -
nothing worthwhile will ever come through!”
My efforts are more than your unlawful lies, which are zero.
My source is endless good, which ultimately rules as hero.
