Book Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA
Brilliant, Passionate Words – Truly from the Heart and Soul!
One might be very pleasantly surprised at the kind of poems found in Odessa Maxwell’s book “Thoughts of My Mind, Heart, and Soul.” She is an unusual woman in many ways. She was born in Germany into a mixed racial family. She has endured racism and social segregation, yet she emerges strong enough mentally, physically and spiritually to become a West Point graduate and a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. She is both gentle and tough with her thoughts and words as well.
Her poetry reflects so much of her inner and outer worlds. She exposes her vulnerability and leaves the reader a naked profile of her very soul. She is not afraid to share as she states in her poems – “true to be myself “, “true to be with my feelings!" She writes from her feeling “woman side” of her brain but also shows strong male warrior energy as well.
Odessa’s poetry is well written and shows depth of emotions without losing sight of the simple basic focus of her life – which seems to be an inner journey looking for both acceptance and understanding.
The book is short but profoundly satisfying for the spirit of the reader. Truly a simple gift of prose for those seeking a softer uplifting message that does not beat you to death with the obvious. I personally recommend this book for all poetry lovers. There are also some thoughtful black and white photos accompanying the poems.
All types: Mystery, Romance, Poetry, Historical Romance
Favs: Jane Eyre
Favorite Writer: Shakespeare
Heroes
My Creator. My parents especially my Mommy. All veterans, service members, and the family and friends that support them...
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY
Graduated: 1994
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Literature and Philosophy
Clubs: Gospel Choir, Protestant Choir, Catholic Folk Group, Episcopal Choir
Poet and Author of Thoughts of My Mind, Heart, and Soul Buy the book, the E-book, or the CD: Prices start at $5.00--Get yours now!
"5 out of 5 stars...Her poetry reflects so much of her inner and outer worlds. She exposes her vulnerability and leaves the reader a naked profile of her very soul. She is not afraid to share as she states in her poems--"true to be myself ", "true to be with my feelings "! She writes from her feeling "women side" of her brain but also shows strong male warrior energy as well..."
-W. H. McDonald Jr., President of MWSA
"4 out of 5 stars...Tranquil thoughts and refreshing masterpieces are featured in THOUGHTS OF MY MIND, HEART, AND SOUL. Maxwell pours her whole being into the words inked in this book...Maxwell offers 50 poems that will stretch your imagination and warm your soul. The love that is expressed in each poem will encourage you to share more of yourself while being thankful for all that you have in your life. THOUGHTS OF MY MIND, HEART, AND SOUL would be a wonderful gift for a close friend or loved one."
-The Deltareviewer, 2005 Marguerite Literary Awards Best Reviewer
"4 out of 5 stars...She writes from the soldier's standpoint the way few others have: few women poets have the service Maxwell has had. Yet these are not poems relegated to patriotic pomp: these are responses from the heart about survival, about caring, about love waning and lost, about need, and about holding tightly to the core of her being. Accompanying the poems in this, her first book, are examples of her avocation as a photographer. The results are a works as straightforwardly honest in observation as her words and they add to the flow and rhythm of the poems rather than supplying page-filling decor..."
-Grady Harper, Amazon #9 Reviewer
**2007 National Underground Spokenword Poetry Award Nominee**
Maxwell was born in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1973, the daughter of Tomoko and Leonard Maxwell, Jr. Leonard Maxwell was an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Air Force when he married his Japanese bride in Japan. Maxwell and her older brother (Leonard Maxwell, III) were born abroad while her family was in route back to her father’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. As a youth, Maxwell faced adversity and prejudice in the segregated city that she grew up in, but she still blossomed in academics and sports. In July 1990, Maxwell was accepted into the Class of 1994 at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. After 4 arduous but worthwhile years, Maxwell was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps of the U.S. Army. Her assignments of increasing responsibilities led her to various assignments throughout the U.S. and Europe to include Germany, Virginia, Maryland, and Kansas to name just a few. Her service to her country spanned six years Active Duty and six years National Guard (Maryland and District of Columbia). She was honorably discharged and resigned her commission in May 2006 in order to pursue her writing career and to devote herself to her three children ages 11, 7, and 6. Maxwell just published her first book of poetry and photography, Thoughts of My Mind, Heart, and Soul. It will serve as a preview to her follow on anthologies (tentatively named For the Red, White and Blue and Why Should I Pray?), which she is currently compiling.
Maxwell is a member of the Military Writers Society of America. She is a volunteer pet therapy handler for Maryland’s Pets on Wheels. Maxwell is a handler, owner & lover, and trainer of AKC Chinese Crested Dogs.
2005:
"Brilliant Beautiful Ebony Blue" published in anthology The Best Poems & Poets of 2005, Aug
2006:
"Beautiful, Woman, Thou Art" published as Academy Women 3rd Annual Symposium "Leading From All Fronts" theme supported poem, Oct
Awarded International Who's Who in Poetry 2006 status, Nov
"Didn't Get a Chance" awarded Editor's Choice Award and selected as one of 33 other poems to be included on the "Sound of Poetry" CD set, Nov
Thoughts of My Mind, Heart, and Soul published by Lulu.com is currently available to retailers and readers at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com as well as www.lulu.com/OMaxwell
Ms. Stephanie Bright and Maelan Magazine published “Say A Prayer”
2007
Featured in Maelan Magazine Big Bang issue, Feb
One of the featured spoken word artist at Prince George's County Health Department Black History Month Event, Feb
One of the featured poets for Making Herstory: A Feminine Perspective in Art and Words, Feb
Guest poet at Takoma Park Academy for their Teen Talent Show, Mar
Featured in Widows Webb, Mar
Scheduled Guest speaker at Maelan Magazine Youth Jam, Apr
Prince George's County Parks and Recreation, Poet in Residence for the Expression Youth Program: Talk Up, Not Down
Featured Guest Poet for the 2007 Academy Women 4th Annual Symposium Remembrance Service honoring fallen women soldiers.
The book is available for purchase at www.lulu.com/OMaxwell or click the link below.
Who I'd like to meet: Poets, authors, songwriters--anyone who loves the expression of words to and of one's heart and soul.
Available for bookings/book signings, interviews, motivational speaking for women, youth, relationships: contact by email odessa.maxwell@yahoo.com or phone (443) 866-1345
Illusions Dispelled
I will believe
For in me
Lies the solution.
Around me lies illusions
For nothing is as it seems
Only the way it is presented to mean.
Silence
Silence is the whispering
of the summer breeze:
Gratitude of life's appreciation--
No word description needed.
Just the hallow beating
of one's heart;
the shallow breath
of seasons' smells.
Silence is the healing
of worries within.
Inner Peace
Inner peace flows babbling
with lite bubbling conversation
amidst the chaos
of warring factions:
of good and evil;
of love and hate--
until all are tired of arguing,
hearing needless noise.
No sound decipherable,
except the music of one's soul.
Cry
Cry the tears of raindrops
for the sadness of a child
for the loss of newborn purity.
Once lost, never to be found—
Hidden in the darkness
We call maturity and life.
Womanly Beauty
Unique beauty
Flows throughout:
Untouched by change,
Adaptable to chaos,
Blooming inside out--
Until the stream flows rivers
Touching all with
Peace, love, and strength!
hey what's up homie, just dropping by to say thanks 4 being a subscriber to my blog. i really appreciate it & want 2 make sure u always know about new music, videos, and shows.
myspace pages get deleted all the time so & i'd hate 2 lose u. So, if you could please also sign up for my e-mailing list that would be really helpful. i recently posted a blog about this & i am also just sending you this message to make it easier for you. remember to open the confirmation email u will be sent.
again thanks 4 all the love & support. remember to tell a friend 2 tell a cousin 2 tell a baby mama! :-)
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