Tag: poetry

Cancer-Cation Chronicles 007: Buffering…

1 Comment

Picture your computer or phone screen with a circle arrow in the center spinning, spinning, and spinning…endlessly rotating yet failing to connect. You are stuck in the void of dropped communication and left sitting in silence.

That’s where I am at right now in healing.

While I am making progress, post stem cell transplant patients like me who had Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) at some point in the past typically experience EBV reactivation within the first few months after transplant. Most patients clear the virus within a month or so, but my EBV reactivation is a defiant curmudgeon who decided to take up shelter in my body. He’s been here for over three months, and from his porch he yells, “Get off my lawn!” to all of my cells and organs. Despite weekly infusions of Rituximab, he’s been messing around with its effectiveness. I’ve undergone some very specialized tests and procedures this week, and once those results are available, my doctor will be able to determine the best way to evict my EBV for good so that my immune system can continue to replenish.

Just another hurdle to fearlessly clear once the spinning arrow finally connects with answers.

As far as I am feeling, my appetite and energy levels wax and wane, but I’m not experiencing any major pain or discomfort. I am slow to get around and frequently use a cane for stability. With my mental clarity on point. I’ve been working on a few projects intended to help others, but didn’t anticipate that work to result in such a beautiful and genuine connection to ME. 

I’ve said this before but it bears repeating. While I would not have chosen to be diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and its related conditions/issues, I accept it because it is my truth, and quite honestly, I have no other choice if I want to live.

It’s all about perspective, and complaining wastes time. My very unexpected yet worthy path has provided fortuitous lessons in patience and control, a palpable awareness of equanimity, the desire to stay curious as I connect in gentle silence with myself, and the opportunity to to rely upon my strong foundations of hope and faith.

We all need the time to sit in silence and allow for the buffering, for it’s there where we connect with our true light.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“Cancer-Cation Chronicles 007: Buffering?” was posted on jillocone.com on May 22, 2025. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was not used at all in creating or writing this post. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of Jill Ocone’s employers. Copyright 2025, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill for reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.

Follow or Contact Me:

54 Joys

Leave a comment

Over the past year, I have made it a practice to find sparks of joy in each day. Even on the bad days, there’s at least one thing good that I experienced, felt, or encountered. In honor of my 54th birthday today, I made a list of 54 things that bring me joy instead of ruminating about my current health status

  1. Finding a 4-leafer hiding in a clover patch
  2. The electricity inside Yankee Stadium, especially following a win
  3. Watermelon anything
  4. Discovering a beautiful sea shell or piece of sea glass on the beach
  5. An early morning bird song
  6. Searching for rainbows after sun showers
  7. Unexpected and short-lived snow squalls
  8. Laughter coming from my nieces and nephews, and just being with them
  9. Dawn’s colors transforming from muted to explosions and the sun as it just peeks from under the horizon to start the day
  10. The exhilaration of riding a new or favorite roller coaster
  11. The aroma of the ocean overlaid with tanning lotion and funnel cakes
  12. Amusement parks and boardwalks
  13. A Grand Slam, regardless of who hit it, and when a baseball player hits for the cycle
  14. Star Wars, Avengers, and Boba Fett
  15. My toes digging in the sand as the ocean lightly laps around my ankles
  16. The first snow flurries of the season as they dance down from the clouds
  17. Yoga and meditation
  18. Getting in the flow when I am writing and losing all sense of time
  19. Coloring with crayons and colored pencils
  20. Pins, especially from places I visit
  21. A Kohr’s chocolate or orange twist ice cream cone
  22. Daily texts from my brother
  23. Popcorn
  24. Little bits-and-bobs and toys
  25. Teal, turquoise, and aqua blue
  26. Watching butterflies and hummingbirds drinking the nectar from flowers I grew from seed
  27. Stickers
  28. Connecting with others in person and/or through my words
  29. Going on adventures with treasured people
  30. Being totally stupid and laughing at utter nonsense with my oldest friends
  31. Hearing the spring peepers after a long winter
  32. Clean sheets
  33. Serendipitous encounters that lead me down a new path or provide me with insight
  34. Finding a feather, especially one from a Blue Jay
  35. Happy faces – I find them hiding everywhere!
  36. The voices of Robert Smith, Anthony Keidis, and Dave Grohl
  37. Fireworks exploding in the night sky
  38. Exploring someplace new or someplace familiar with different eyes 
  39. Watching the boats come and go down at the Inlet, especially the race boats
  40. A perfectly ripe and juicy nectarine
  41. Connecting with like-minded people
  42. Rereading “The Outsiders” for the billionth time
  43. The smell right after a springtime rain shower
  44. Crinkle cut french fries
  45. Seinfeld references
  46. Sunflowers
  47. Many Eddie Murphy movies and Ghostbusters (1 and 2)
  48. Narwhals
  49. Notebooks and sticky notes
  50. Jersey tomatoes and Jersey corn
  51. When the underdog wins
  52. The aroma of coconut
  53. Writing with sparkly, glitter, and metallic ink pens
  54. Shining my light to kindle the light in others

Become a joy seeker like me and notice the joy in your own life. I promise your days will become more enjoyable and you will feel more grounded. And let your light shine and kindle the light in others.

My next post will contain updates about my stem cell transplant recovery. Spoiler alert: I’m doing fine with only a few hiccups.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“54 Joys” was posted on jillocone.com on February 12, 2025. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2025, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.

Follow or Contact Me:

Thank You, Manchester Library!

Leave a comment

I had the honor of presenting a program I titled “Enduring Life’s Waves” at the Manchester Township branch of the Ocean County Library on Monday, July 22 with 24 guests present.

It was my first public presentation about my novel. I brought many brochures I picked up on my first two Dublin trips, as well as my travel journals and photo books to enhance my presentation. While preparing my talk and accompanying presentation, I looked at a number of images I took ten years ago while on my first trip to Dublin and more from my 2016 trip I call my “Mission from the Universe,” and marveled how when I took these pictures and saw these locations with my own eyes, I had no idea my novel would be the end result. Having faith in following the signs that appeared in my days changed my life in so many unanticipated ways.

I spoke about just that, trusting the path even when you cannot see the first step, and how important it is to be present in the moment at hand. So many times we go rushing through our lives, meeting this benchmark and crossing this or that task off our lists that we fail to stop and recognize with all of our senses where we are in the present moment. That’s one of the points of James Joyce’s masterpieces Ulysses, a writer and work that played pivotal roles in my journey.

Having Joyce’s inspiration mesh and meld with my path was not something I would have expected, but here we are, and I look to the pompous bloke as wise because I shifted my view and looked through different lenses upon him, and to be honest, upon everything over the past ten years.

I would like to thank everyone who came to Monday’s program and the staff of Manchester branch of the Ocean County Library for trusting me with presenting a quality program where I hope everyone felt included and learned to follow their inner compasses.

Promo Poster
During the Presentation
Reading a sample from the novel

If you are local, I’d love for you to join me on August 15 in downtown Toms River from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Garden State Distillery! We’re planning a fun evening with short readings, Q & A, and mixing & mingling.

Thank you to those who have purchased and/or read Enduring the Waves ! If you haven’t, I guarantee you’ll make at least one connection to Kelly’s story. Click on the book cover above for ordering links and more, including a Reader’s Guide (kind of like a study guide for the book, should you be interested in a deeper relationship with it). It’s a great beach read, and since it’s beach season, what are you waiting for? Order it. already!

Please reach out to me via email (jillocone@gmail.com) if you are interested in having me speak or present at your next book club or community group meeting. I’m happy to meet you!

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

If you’d like to stay current with my journey, please consider signing up for my newsletter here:

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Follow or Contact Me:

“Thank You, Manchester Library” was posted on jillocone.com on July 24, 2024. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2024, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.

Thank You, Bethany Beach Books!

Leave a comment

I traveled to Bethany Beach, Delaware last week with one of my best friends for my first real author event at a bookstore. Bethany Beach Books accepted my request for an author event earlier this year and it was an amazing milestone! I am forever grateful for Bethany Beach Books for hosting me. If you are in the Bethany Beach area, I highly recommend you visit this quaint book store. Might I add seeing my book near Elin Hildebrand’s most recent release was surreal!

Signed copies left at Bethany Beach Books waiting to be shelved.
Outside Bethany Beach Books
My lifelong and longest friend!
Post signing walk up to the beach. Go figure, free admission unlike New Jersey!
In action!
Signing a copy of “Enuring the Waves” for a reader!
It’s a real event! That’s my name!
My book among a-list authors!

I crossed off a few “firsts” on this quick getaway, including taking the Cape May/Lewes Ferry for the first time. We stayed at Hotel Bethany Beach, which I also wholeheartedly recommend. The price was right, the location perfect, and the accomodations wonderful. For meals, we enjoyed dinner at Mickey’s Family Crab House and The Cottage Cafe, and for lunch we sat next to The Gipper, Ronald Reagan himself, at Ropewalk. We enjoyed walking the main strip and browsing many surf shops and coastal decor stores. A few years ago, my niece and I stayed in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for a few days, which is about 13 miles north. Delaware’s shore area is similar to Jersey but has a very different vibe and feel, and I hope to return someday.

Thank you to those who have purchased and/or read Enduring the Waves ! If you haven’t, I guarantee you’ll make at least one connection to Kelly’s story. Click on the book cover above for ordering links and more, including a Reader’s Guide (kind of like a study guide for the book, should you be interested in a deeper relationship with it). It’s a great beach read, and since it’s beach season, what are you waiting for? Order it. already!

Please reach out to me via email (jillocone@gmail.com) if you are interested in having me speak or present at your next book club or community group meeting. I’m happy to meet you!

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

If you’d like to stay current with my journey, please consider signing up for my newsletter here:

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Follow or Contact Me:

“Thank You, Bethany Beach Books!” was posted on jillocone.com on June 30, 2024. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2024, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.

About Time to Promote “About Time”

Leave a comment
About Time‘s cover I designed

I am pleased to announce the publication of About Time: A Coming of Age Poetry Anthology published by Red Penguin Books. 

I had the distinct pleasure of serving as the collection’s guest editor, which was the first time I held such a role for an anthology. As editor, I sifted through the submissions after printing them and cutting off any identifiable information from each poem because I personally knew a few of the poets who submitted their work for publication consideration. I wanted every poet to have a fair chance regardless of whether I had a prior connection with them or not, so I blindly read each poem five times during the selection phase. 

The challenge of whittling down the number of accepted poems from the pool of over 300 submitted poems was real. I ultimately divided up the poems into three categories: yes, no, and maybe, then carefully read each poem two more times before making the final selections.

The hardest part of the process was contacting the poets in the “no” pile. I have received more rejections than acceptances in my writing life and know firsthand how it stings to find out my work wasn’t accepted. I did my best to pen a graceful and encouraging rejection letter, and to my surprise, received some replies from poets thanking me for such a kindly worded email. 

I thoroughly enjoyed every part of my role as guest editor for About Time, from redesigning the book’s cover and selecting poems that best exemplified the book’s vision and theme to providing a publishing credit for many new writers. I hope to work with Red Penguin again in the future!

You can order a copy of About Time by clicking this link.

Thank you to those who have purchased and/or read Enduring the Waves ! If you haven’t, I guarantee you’ll make at least one connection to Kelly’s story. Click on the book cover above for ordering links and more, including a Reader’s Guide (kind of like a study guide for the book, should you be interested in a deeper relationship with it).

Please reach out to me via email (jillocone@gmail.com) if you are interested in having me speak or present at your next book club or community group meeting. I’m happy to meet you!

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

If you’d like to stay current with my journey, please consider signing up for my newsletter here:

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Follow or Contact Me:

“About Time to Promote ‘About Time” was posted on jillocone.com on April 19, 2024. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2024, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.

The best books for lovers of the shore and the sea

Leave a comment

When I was approached by the folks over at Shepherd.com to provide recommendations for books with similar aspects to Enduring the Waves as a way to promote my novel, I hesitated at first as doubts and questions swirled around my mind. What kind of expert am I? How could I whittle down my extensive collection to only five surf and shore themed books, and which books had a message that could most inform and inspire others?

Then I looked at myself with different lenses.I realized I am worthy of providing recommendations, and knew the perfect books for my list because they are the ones I’ve reread more than once and/or keep going back to for various reasons.

As such, I accepted the challenge and my list went live today. Head on over to Shepherd.com’s newest list of book recommendations, The best books for lovers of the shore and the sea,

If you haven’t already done so, please consider reading Enduring the Waves as well! I guarantee you’ll make at least one connection to Kelly’s story. Click on the book cover above for ordering links and more, including a Reader’s Guide (kind of like a study guide for the book should you be interested in a deeper relationship with it).

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

If you’d like to stay current with my journey, please consider signing up for my newsletter here:

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Follow or Contact Me:

“The best books for lovers of the shore and the sea” was posted on jillocone.com on January 15, 2024. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2024, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.

Today I Am Grateful-A Thanksgiving Reflection

Leave a comment

Today I am grateful

For the darkness and the light,

For the struggles and the strife,

For the hearts who live in mine,

For the rain and bright sunshine.

Today I am grateful

For my partner and soulmate,

For moments small and great,

For morning’s singing birds,

For notebooks, pens, and words.

Today I am grateful

For cherished family love,

For those in heaven above,

For mornings, noons, and nights,

For taste, and smell, and sight.

Today I am grateful

For friends both near and far,

For dawn’s and dusk’s bright stars,

For food and drink aplenty,

For the dollars, coins, and pennies.

Today I am grateful

For rock bottom and the wins,

For forgiveness for my sins,

For the waves, the sea, the bay,

For each smile along my way,

Today I am grateful

For everything and how,

For the path to here and now,

For one more chance to give,

For one more day to live.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Thanks for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With gratitude,

Jill

“Today I Am Grateful’” was posted on jillocone.com on November 25, 2021. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any employer. Copyright 2021, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

Published in “the leaves fall” (The Red Penguin Collection)

1 Comment

I am beyond elated to announce that my poem “The Impromptu Gig” was selected for publication in The Red Penguin Collection’s the leaves fall, a poetry anthology of autumnal poems.

From the description: With poems ranging in content from specific moments in nature, and the beauty within each one, to more abstract examinations of temperature, isolation, and progressing forward, this anthology is sure to be one that speaks to the hearts and minds of all who read it.

You can purchase your very own copy by clicking here. If you purchase, please consider leaving a positive review on Amazon if you are happy with the anthology! And I’d be thrilled to sign your copy!

Thank you for your support!

Thanks for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With gratitude,

Jill

“Published in ‘the leaves fall’” was posted on jillocone.com and on soulseaker.com on September 19, 2021. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any employer. Copyright 2021, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

A Dedication to Fellow Dreamers

1 Comment

“A Dedication to Fellow Dreamers” – May 24, 2020

 

This is for all of the dreamers out there…

The ones who chase the rainbows

And take a front-row seat as the birdies perform their daily concerto…

The ones who rejoice at the birth of the seedling

As its tiny green head sprouts up through the dirt…

The ones who joyfully in the rain

And let the snowflakes tickle their eyelashes.

 

This goes out to the ones who make dandelion wishes

And leave the heads-up penny on the ground for someone who needs it more…

The ones who blow iridescent bubbles into the wafting breeze

And take the long way home on a Friday afternoon…

The ones whose skin prickles as the sun peeks up from beneath the horizon

And are inspired by the day’s end masterpiece.

 

This is for all who let the wet sand flow between their toes

As the sea’s wave caresses their feet…

The ones who accept a little hand into theirs

As they walk alongside the future…

The ones who continue their search for the light

In spite of overwhelming darkness…

The ones who believe in love

And faith

And hope

And joy.

 

This goes out to

You.

 

img_3695

 

cropped-img_0764 Thanks for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With gratitude,

Jill

 

“A Dedication to Fellow Dreamers” was posted on jillocone.com and on soulseaker.com on May 24, 2020. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not compensated in any way by any entity. Copyright 2020, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

New Year’s Morning

2 Comments

snapseed

“New Year’s Morn. “Taken January 1, 2020 at sunrise in Melbourne Beach, Florida with my iPhone (no filters). Copyright Jill Ocone, 2020.

It’s quiet and calm

At the beach before dawn

As the sun peeks its head

Over the horizon.

Slowly yet deliberately,

It casts joy and hope

Masked in its first light

On a new day,

A new month,

A new year,

A new decade,

A new me.

Its grows and ascends

As it magnificently

Ignites every cloud in the sky

And shell on the sand

With its splendor of colors

And radiant light.

As it says,

Good morning, world.

Here’s a brand new day,

Another fresh start

Created just for you…

and if this one doesn’t work out,

I’ll be back around

Same time tomorrow,

With another new day,

Another fresh start,

Teeming with a new batch of

Joy, hope, and faith,

Waiting just for you.

 

Happy new day. Happy new month. Happy new year. Happy new decade.

And Happy New You.

 

cropped-img_0764 Thanks for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With gratitude,

Jill

 

“New Year’s Morning” was posted on jillocone.com  and on soulseaker.com on January 1, 2020. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer who was not compensated in any way by any entity. Copyright 2020, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with licensing and publishing inquiries.