ABOUT ME ~ JOURNEYS

*JOURNEYS COMPLETED . . . AND JOURNEYS JUST BEGUN*

Writing poetry is my way of understanding myself and the world around me. This is not a new adventure, simply just a new chapter.

On the homefront I share my life with my husband and two adult sons in California. I have lived the majority of my life in California's Bay Area, but also spent some ten years in the city of angels, Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles/Hollywood I was totally immersed in theatre from all angles . . . acting .....to construction ....to public relations. While living and pursuing in L.A./Hollywood I wrote many poems that reflect the flipside of the two cities. I left the pursuit of the spotlight for love and raising a family ... and with my sons now in adulthood, well I'm off and running again.

As to my family background growing up, it was very close knit, and remains so today. Although influenced by both sides of my family, my mother's background, which is full-blooded Sicilian, held the strongest tie to my heritage. Growing up I can still remember the language of the old folks . . . the men swearing in Italian and playing cards, and the women with aprons 'round about the kitchen, and all the little bambinos underfoot. My family will ever keep me busy in one way or another . . . they are the foundation of my life.

I am also lucky to have a job I enjoy going to each day. I have worked in Special Education for the past sixteen years as a ParaEducator. I have worked with all levels from kindergarten to twelveth. For the last eight years I have had the pleasure to work with teens with severe cognitive disabilities at a local high school. It is a very busy day, but one with many rewards and the students are really gems in disguise. Some of my poems have been inspired by my students and their struggles always touch my heart. Their achievements and successes fill me with pride.

What else? I'm animal lover/protector, an avid gardener, reader . . . an advisor for class of '06. I love rollercoasters and just about all amusement rides. I love both the city and the wilderness.

Lately I have become intrigued with creating a Poetry Website of my own design. I have named it Poetic Horizons..."Horizons" because opportunities to create and express in the written word are endless. I have found that I quite enjoy bringing others together in this cyber space format. Even more amazing to myself is that I actually enjoy and feel quite challenge in the world of "coding." Who would have imagined! Certainly no me!

I love taking pictures of flowers, plants and bugs ... especially closeups and you will find my photography through out the site. I have posted many of my pictures here, and even have set up a couple of pages for others to use my photos as screensavers if they wish.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Writing poetry about women is important to me. Excitement for me comes from learning something new.... something more.....

~a woman’s notebook~

this body mine
permissive
soft you say
fine downy flesh
i invite you
run your fingers over my willow arms
brushing back the silk-thin hair
and watch it fall back into perfection

please excuse this smile amused
as to what makes you think
i actually change my mind

child balanced upon round hips
strong pelvis
this body mine
the builder of men
these hands braced upon my physical fortitude
i invite you in

i paint my lips in shades of mona lisa mystery
and rest patience in my lap
until you see my cast iron bone
and ready bayonet
do not turn your back on me
to find i am the enemy of indifference
and that i strike with the intent of drawing blood

come
come surrender in my arms
drink my milk from swollen ready breast
wipe my tears
and bury yours in my hair cast across a scented pillow
let my body be a warmed coverlet
yours to rest beneath
but remember
i live the night with opened eyes

look upon my profile
follow the roman line of my nose
to once again the fine hair over my lip
and if you give touch to my quiet kiss
you will find the quake that lies deep within the earth

please excuse i stare at your look bewildered
to say only this in passing
~ absent the prerogative
i have had many a foot
placed grossly on my stomach
to hold me to a burial
but i am the loam
i am the rock
i am the fallen leaf
the worm
the brush
and the pregnant seed

to answer your question
the difference is
you do not see how much of a man
i am

~to these fathers, sons and husbands
i see all of me
that you hold inside

~and so it goes
with thoughts from a woman’s notebook~


jeanne rene 9/04