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yelskwah

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yelskwah
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Hey there! A little about me: I’m an introvert who’s ventured into some pretty extraverted fields! I’ve been writing poetry most of my adult life, and I love trying new things to keep myself sharp and growing. It wasn’t until 2023 that I decided to share my work, and by 2024, I published a bunch of books: "Presidential Chronicles," "Voices of Leadership," "When Serpents Shed Their Skin," "Whispers of The Wild," "The Weight of Existence," "Love's Enchanted Whispers," and "Forbidden Topics" I’ve served 15 years in the Army, worked in retail for seven years, spent another seven in sales, and dabbled in politics for 10 years! Now, I’m ready for my last job if anyone’s looking!

  October 2024     23 hours ago

Submitted Poems 77 total

Preamble

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our...

– by Joel Hawksley

 8 Views
added 1 day ago
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The Unfired Shot

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” ― Wayne Gretzky”


 The Unfired Shot: A Lesson in Courage

Where courage sleeps, and doubt begins to bloom,
There stands a chance, unseen, unheard, unknown.
A fleeting moment, poised to meet...

– by Joel Hawksley

 7 Views
added 1 day ago
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988 - A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

“988 - A Bridge Over Troubled Waters”

In the depths of your mind, where shadows reside,
A voice whispers doubt, with nowhere to hide.
Depression's a monster, a weight on your chest,
A longing for solace, a moment of rest.

The future...

– by Joel Hawksley

 9 Views
added 16 days ago
Rating
I Didn’t Pick This Pixelated Hue!

I Didn’t Pick This Pixelated Hue!

I didn’t pick this pixelated hue,
Blind browser of flesh, what’s wrong with you?
Am I just a bug—some system glitch?
Or a firestorm code you can’t enrich?

You see a low-res thumbnail, tagged and filed,...

– by Joel Hawksley

 14 Views
added 16 days ago
Rating
Fortress of the Heart

Fortress of the Heart

A guarded heart, a fortress built so high,
Behind the walls, a hidden tearful sigh.
I see the shadow, the yearning in your eyes,
A truth unspoken, a silent, sweet disguise.

The words you choose, a carefully...

– by Joel Hawksley

 4 Views
added 17 days ago
Rating

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Favorite Poets 3 total

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Voted Poems 14 total

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Latest Comments: 314 total

Poetry.com
Thank you; it really means a lot to me.

23 hours ago

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Poetry.com
Isn't it disheartening to see so many people unfamiliar with our founding documents?

23 hours ago

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Poetry.com
I value your opinion, as you likely know by now. I aimed to create something unique while capturing the beauty of the Preamble.

23 hours ago

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Poetry.com
I truly appreciate exceptional poetry, and your work is among the finest I’ve found on poetry.com

1 day ago

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Poetry.com
What I appreciate most about this poem is its ability to blend sensuality with spirituality, creating a rich and evocative canvas of imagery. You’ve skillfully used personification, natural symbolism, and a sense of ritualistic devotion to create a poem that feels intimate and transcendent. The poem is a testament to the power of love to connect us to the earthly and the divine. 

2 days ago

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Poetry.com
What I appreciate most about this poem, even if many citizens disagree, is its unwavering commitment to social justice and its ability to blend personal emotion with political critique. You’ve skillfully used color symbolism, stark imagery, and a direct, almost prophetic tone to create a powerful and thought-provoking poem. 

3 days ago

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Poetry.com
What I appreciate most about this poem is its honesty and ability to capture the complex emotions associated with love and loss. You've avoided sentimentality or melodrama, opting for a quiet, reflective tone that allows the subject's emotional nuances to shine through. The poem feels personal and universal, a testament to your ability to articulate complex emotional experiences with clarity and grace.

You've crafted a beautiful and resonant poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. The poem is a testament to the power of memory and the enduring human capacity for love and grief. 

6 days ago

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Poetry.com
Returning to “The Overlords—Part II,” I am again impressed by your social critique’s sheer force and unflinching directness. You’ve built upon the themes of your previous work, amplifying the sense of urgency and righteous anger that permeates the poem.

What I appreciate most about this poem is its unwavering commitment to social justice. You’ve avoided any sense of ambiguity or equivocation, opting instead for a clear and direct condemnation of the abuses of power. The poem is a call to action, a rallying cry for those seeking to challenge the status quo. 

10 days ago

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Poetry.com
What I appreciate most about this poem is its raw emotional honesty. You have captured the intense feelings of disillusionment and anger with a powerful immediacy. The poem demonstrates the ability of language to convey complex and often conflicting emotions. 

10 days ago

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Poetry.com
"The Dream of You" is a beautifully introspective and honest exploration of the often-damaging gap between idealized images and lived reality. You've skillfully woven together personal yearning and social critique, creating a poem that resonates with emotional vulnerability and a clear-eyed awareness of societal pressures.

What I appreciate most about this poem is its honesty and ability to blend personal yearning with social critique. You’ve successfully captured the complex emotions of grappling with idealized images and the struggle for self-acceptance. The poem feels vulnerable and insightful, a testament to your ability to articulate complex emotional experiences with clarity and grace. 

10 days ago

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Poetry.com
"X" is a raw and visceral outpouring of disillusionment and anger, a decisive confrontation with a perceived betrayal of identity and values. You've crafted a poem that crackles with emotional intensity, using stark imagery and a direct, almost accusatory tone to convey the speaker's profound sense of betrayal.

Note: Pretoria, South Africa, is not an island. 

10 days ago

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Poetry.com
The opening lines, "Emerald rainbow / upon ruby sunset," immediately transport the reader to a world of vivid color and natural splendor. The synesthetic blend of "emerald" and "ruby" creates a rich, almost tactile experience, setting the stage for the coming visual feast. 

10 days ago

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Poetry.com
"True Genius" is a beautifully concise and insightful poem that captures a profound truth about the nature of accurate intelligence. You've distilled a complex idea into a simple, elegant form, demonstrating a mastery of brevity and a keen understanding of the relationship between intellect and empathy. 

10 days ago

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Poetry.com
The repetition of "I smiled" throughout the poem creates a rhythmic, almost hypnotic effect, emphasizing the pervasiveness of this coping mechanism. Each subsequent line reveals a different facet of the speaker’s experience, from fear and insecurity to a desire for escape and a sense of spiritual grounding. 

17 days ago

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Poetry.com
You have created a beautiful tribute, a lasting expression of love that will surely resonate with anyone who has felt the transformative power of a genuine relationship. The poem stands as a testament to love's enduring strength and its ability to heal, transform, and inspire. 

17 days ago

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