John Leslie O'Kelley

Member since March 16, 2022

Member for 4 years, 4 months

member

497 Poems

1,427 Comments

21 Followers

Most recent

Out on the street alone!

Posted Jun 26, 2026 · 32 lines · 4 critiques

Follow me swiftly,

ever so gently,

a dog without a bone!

Can't keep from hiding,

all of the lies

which I've been boldly told.

Of all of the places

given God's graces,

the lies which I've been sold!

The ending unique,

I'll die with disease

Read the rest of the poem Show less

here in this ungodly home.

Ever so quaint,

with no sort of restraint

my mind was never it's own!

It was never my aim

for fortune or fame,

you're mind must now be blown!

A suicide failure,

now onto derailleur,

out on the street alone!

My image is cast,

against the glass,

of a semi truck driving home!

John Leslie O'Kelley’s timeline

June 2026
28 Sun

Received a critique
on Out on the street alone! from @Lavender
"I, too, have confidence in you, John. L"
27 Sat

Received a critique
on Out on the street alone! from @Obadiah Grey
"I work with an ex squadie with a horrendously debilitating stammer. (post traumatic stress disorder) He spent ten years of living on the streets, then got a break, (poor sod ended up working with me) He's the man that I…"
26 Fri

Received a critique
on Out on the street alone! from @Geezer
"I think you are going to be alright. Just a little confusion over the instructions. Double back and circle the wagons, the battle has begun. I have confidence in you; you can make it. ~ Geez."
26 Fri

Posted a poem
Out on the street alone!
"Follow me swiftly,"
Open thread 32 lines
10 Wed

Posted a poem
Happy trip!
"What's a day, but to make you happy,"
Open thread 19 lines
May 2026
27 Wed

Received a critique
on A different lens! from @Wallyroo92
"That first stanza speaks a lot of truth. I think intuition grows with time, I just mine was as keen when I was younger. Nice heartfelt write."
27 Wed

Received a critique
on Becoming! from @Wallyroo92
""Emotional scars are embedded in my tired cold eyes." These lines alone tell a story without elaborating or going into detail. Sometimes those vague pieces connect more with others because we've gone through something s…"
27 Wed

Received a critique
on Crossroads! from @Wallyroo92
"I liked the nostalgic feel, like an old musician who's been away and is coming back to his/her roots. Well done."
27 Wed

Received a critique
on Alligator swamp! from @Wallyroo92
"That's pretty gripping to say the least. I don't know how folks who live in those parts can stay so calm. I hear about how alligators just cross road like normal. Nicely penned."
16 Sat

Posted a poem
Blue Skies!
"When the shadows of night"
Open thread 31 lines
12 Tue

Posted a poem
Young loves reaveled!
"As a young boy,"
Open thread 29 lines
02 Sat

New follower
@RJ Bear
April 2026
10 Fri

Critiqued
"The way " by @Eric Clausen
"You've got a lot of wisdom that shows up in this poem! I learned a thing or two from you, I usually speak before I think, but this one brought out the best side of me!"
10 Fri

Critiqued
"Servant to the Bogeyman" by @Ebon Croe
"Very cool poem, your descriptions were great. I really liked this poem!"
10 Fri

Critiqued
"Opus" by @Lavender
"Very cool description and metaphor, it called me out I wanted more. Your language I thought to be superb. Another great enthralling poem, engaging all of my senses. I hope you live a long, long life! You have so much to…"
10 Fri

Critiqued
"Drive Before You Drink..." by @Geezer
"You've created something bitching good, I love the imagery of the ride and the music that went into this poem, but I wouldn't have surmised at first that you were describing vampires. I'm glad you left that in the notes…"
07 Tue

New follower
@Ebon Croe
07 Tue

Critiqued
"The Version Where I Arrived Sooner" by @Wallyroo92
"I can relate to this poem, because I know you can't turn the pages back. We all make choices that come with, sometimes immediate consequences, but sometimes we escape without a scrape. If this is about losing love, beca…"
07 Tue

Critiqued
"Just can’t face the day " by @RJ Bear
"Life's like a simple game, we put our neck out on a line. Were not to here to be free, but to find it I'm afraid. Life's like a fulcrum the further we walk in one direction, the more we insure our own sort of salvation…"
07 Tue

Critiqued
"Dreams Deferred" by @Sen99
"I have always loved the imagery in your poetry, this one is different and still so beautiful. I wish that I could capture your imagination, if only for a few rough shod lines. My memory fails me and sometimes eludes me…"
07 Tue

Critiqued
"Two Roads Diverged" by @William Lynn
"When you set your foot on a path to a new destination, you need to know that there's no turning back! Everything you do after you make a choice can change your life in a positive or negative way. We all learn to deal wi…"
06 Mon

Received a critique
on A place we all belong! from @William Lynn
"I hope you are doing as well as possible and hope you are hearing joyous songs of hope. I know you are struggling, but glad you are able to write these words for all of us to consider. All my best wishes, Will"
02 Thu

Posted a poem
A place we all belong!
"A heavy meditation,"
Open thread 16 lines
February 2026
22 Sun

Posted a poem
Ostrich ride!
"I rode on an"
Open thread 20 lines
18 Wed

Posted a poem
Desperate appeal
"In the heart,"
Open thread 36 lines
16 Mon

Posted a poem
Finding again!
"Walking on air,"
Open thread 40 lines
14 Sat

Posted a poem
On a Spring morning!
"Tulips were blooming,"
Open thread 39 lines
12 Thu

Posted a poem
A formidable gift!
"What would I do,"
Open thread 18 lines
12 Thu

New follower
@Cpwe Skele
09 Mon

Posted a poem
What are friends for?
"I beckoned the light,"
Open thread 32 lines
06 Fri

Posted a poem
If I could be through?
"The world keeps"
Open thread 28 lines
January 2026
27 Tue

New follower
@Rula
November 2024
16 Sat

Contest commendation
Neopoet Weekly 11/10/24 to 11/16/24

with "In The Dark Night!".
October 2024
16 Wed

Critique milestone
1,000 critiques given
September 2024
22 Sun

Most-discussed work
Of Passion and Desire!

15 critiques to date.
April 2024
30 Tue

Contest commendation
04/24 My Favorite Cookie

with "After school treat!".
30 Tue

First contest commendation
04/24 My Favorite Cookie

with the poem "After school treat!".
December 2023
15 Fri

Highest posting month
December 2023 — 35 poems
November 2023
29 Wed

Posting milestone
100 poems posted
March 2023
16 Thu

Anniversary
One year of membership
February 2023
16 Thu

First critique offered
on "Woman Man Lord then God (Edit Seren My Maestro)" by @lovedly
March 2022
17 Thu

First publication
Leaving Ukraine
16 Wed

Joined Neopoet
Membership begins

First poem published 1 days later.

About Me

About me

I have always loved music and art. Art of any kind. I use poetry as a release! I could paint a beautiful picture, but that isn't what's happening, and I can only show the things I feel inside. I also love 70's rock the lyrics are timely and inspirational for me. I also play guitar to soothe the savage beast in me!

Location: South Ogden, Utah, USA

Favorite Poets

Jon Anderson

Jon Ondrasik

Donald Fagen

Sting

Eric Bloom

and all of the poets at neo.

Contest Wins

Winning Submission	Contest	Contest Date
In The Dark Night!	Neopoet Weekly 11/10/24 to 11/16/24	10 November, 2024 – 16 November, 2024
After school treat!	04/24 My Favorite Cookie	1 April, 2024 – 30 April, 2024