John Leslie O'Kelley

Member since March 16, 2022

Member for 4 years, 2 months

member

495 Poems

1,427 Comments

21 Followers

Most recent

Blue Skies!

Posted May 16, 2026 · 31 lines · 2 critiques

When the shadows of night

creep upon us,

we look for a blue sunny day!

Come tomorrow we may

find an avenue, to

pass the dole drums away!

When you arrive at the age

of the elderly,

there's nothing to stand in your way.

You know we have choices

to make, and mine

Read the rest of the poem Show less

is to not fade into gray!

I'll leave this existence,

with honor, I won't

take my life I just can't.

If I could leap into

the twilight zone,

my heart is pounding on the door!

My soul is filled,

with abandonment,

but I know how to take it in stride.

I've been alone in my mind

for so many years that

I have no idea how to get home.

John Leslie O'Kelley’s timeline

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"
04 Sat

Received a critique
on A place we all belong! from @Eliza
"With all the craziness and division in the world, this poem provides some much needed hope and light. You must be very spirtual. Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed this poem."
04 Sat

Received a critique
on A place we all belong! from @Lavender
"Hello, John, Good to see your poetry. "... something wonderous leads us." My views on what exactly this is has changed through my life, but my faith in whatever it is has grown stronger. The Universe is powerful and wis…"
03 Fri

Received a critique
on A place we all belong! from @Jane A. Rug
"but the idea of traversing along an unknown boulevard of broken dreams part of the outcome taking chances to muster courage to get up and follow one's calling, no matter bush whacking with a cheney saw a helpful impleme…"
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
04 Wed

Posted a poem
Leaving you behind
"Thunderclouds break,"
Open thread 28 lines
02 Mon

Posted a poem
Finding your peace!
"The world is so frigid,"
Open thread 24 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
August 2024
28 Wed

Most-discussed work
Dig it!

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.

>> View all work

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