Synergy for the Arts
Odessa Maxwell's Page
Profile
- Art/Talent
- In a Relationship
- About Me:
- Born in Wiesbaden, Germany. Author of a book of poetry and photography Thoughts of My Mind, Heart, and Soul (2006) and a recording of Maxwell reading and performing 16 of her poems on This Story is My Life (2007). 2007 National Underground Spokenword Poetry Award Nominee. Her work has been featured in The Best Poems & Poets of 2005 anthology, in the International Who’s Who in Poetry 2006 anthology, at the 2006 Academy Women 3rd Annual Symposium "Leading From All Fronts", in Maelan Magazine, and recorded on the Sound of Poetry. She has also been a featured poet at the Prince George's County Health Department Black History Month Celebration, Making Herstory: A Feminine Perspective in Art and Words, at the 11th Annual Poetry Ink, at Blacks in Government Black Author Expo. She has served as the guest poet at the Academy Women 4th Annual Symposium Remembrance Ceremony in 2007.
Maxwell graduated the Class of 1994 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. 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 is a member of the Military Writers Society of America. She is a pet therapy handler for two volunteer therapy dogs who enjoy visiting with seniors, youth, and veterans for the Maryland’s Prince George’s County Pets on Wheels. Maxwell is a handler, owner, and trainer of AKC Chinese Crested Dogs.
REVIEWS:
"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 "woman 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
Peace & Blessings, the Word & the Wisdom...Wednesday night at My Way Cafe in Laurel, MD there was gathering of Poets that was historic in scope and relevance to the Spoken Word Genre. These Lyrical Titans all came humbly to the stage and shared their Magnificent Talents with the Truly Blessed Patrons that were present. The night was further confirmation of our mantra; WE are Greater than "i"…
Odessa Maxwell; Rising Star ~ This Queen is relatively new to performing her poetry on stage, but you would never had known that last night. She stepped to the stage and put her Life on The Line. To be a witness to her growth is a privilege not to be taken lightly. Be Blessed!!
-The Poetry Man, Spoken Word Artist
“...we loved her quiet storm. She is definitely blessed and we loved her lyricism. We definitely learned something from her and we were moved.”
-V. Menefee, Member of the Baltimore Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Website:
- http://www.myspace.com/OMaxwell
Latest Activity
Odessa Maxwell's Blog
No Choice of His Own. 2007 National Underground Spokenword Poetry Award Nominee.
He was sent of no choice of his own
To serve the country that he loved
To defend a principle of democracy.
He was told to leave all that he knew behind…
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Posted on December 14th, 2007 at 7:55am —
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IdentityXcrisis (only here at WSN)
Identity—the commonality with society.
A oneness combined with uniqueness.
Presenting yourself in the same light…
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Posted on December 9th, 2007 at 9:52am —
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Some of my shorter works...Don't blink....
These are in my chapbooks....
Copyright 2007. Odessa Maxwell. All rights reserved.
Illusions Dispelled
I will believe…
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Posted on December 7th, 2007 at 5:46pm —
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Dedicated Only to You
I wanted to write a love poem
That was dedicated only to you.
I wanted my words to reach out to you
To caress you all over--…
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Posted on December 6th, 2007 at 10:15pm —
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Treasured Pearl (In dedication of Lois Nicole “Danielle” Patrice Watson-Green)
Treasured Pearl
Your loss was the waterfalls of my pain
Yet the flooding of my mind’s memories.
…
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Posted on December 6th, 2007 at 10:10pm —
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Glen Yumang Manese
Available on Amazon.com
Barnesandnoble.com
lulu.com/omaxwell
A heartfelt collection of poems and photographs by Odessa Maxwell. Makes a great gift for a loved one. Dedicated to military men, women, and supporters.
ISBN 9781430301370
http://www.reverbnation.com/odessamaxwell
http://www.myspace.com/omaxwell
http://www.topcatlive.com/OdessaMaxwell
http://www.lulu.com/omaxwell
http://www.youtube.com/odessamaxwell
http://www.authorsden.com/omaxwell
My other business interests
http://www.rockinm-crested.com
http://www.spreads4luv.org
Take care!
John & Christie