JOHN THOMAS DODDS J.T.D0DDS
Novels, Verse, Children's Books and Essays Descriptions
Wanting To Breathe Her In – A Novel
It seems years ago the science confirmed that brain cells continue to renew themselves throughout our lifetime. Why then would not love, the need for it and the need to express it, and the joy of experiencing it be equally self-renewing until the last breath of life as we know it? Romance is ageless, and we don’t lose the desire to be loved and to love someone even if we have never had the opportunity to experience it. Having someone to share a part of your life enables you to see more of yourself through the mirror of somebody else. It’s what makes you human, the reflection in the mirror. Through that connection is self-realization, recognizing the essence of who you are, enabling you to be authentic. Michael comes to a point in his life where all the dead ends, the chatter, the roller coaster he had been on for decades mellowed to a passion for writing, and a romance with Rachel who taught him love has a way of giving you what you didn’t know you wanted.
Comes a Time of No Return - A Novel
Comes a Time is a collection of poems and essays exploring the ageing process (senescence), and the attributes (essence) that make us who we fundamentally are. Digging deep at times into the “soul” of the substance of growing old, the reader is never too far from finding humor where time becomes a diminishing number of cells doubling. Dedicated to all the sexagenarians, septuagenarians, octogenarians, and nonagenarians, who are no longer capable of dividing but are still alive and metabolically active.
If You Are Born to be a Tamale – Novel
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Step into a tale of intertwined destinies that spans two decades and traverses continents, capturing the essence of hope, love, and resilience. In this evocative novel, If You Are Born to be a Tamale, author J.T. Dodds, paints a vivid portrait of two individuals whose paths converge across two borders, against the backdrop of a changing world.
In this poignant and timely story, John delves deep into the human spirit, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and the enduring power of family. As the threads of Harriet and Jesus's lives intertwine, readers are moved along a parallel narrative that tugs at the heartstrings and sparks introspection. Prepare to be captivated by this compelling tale that examines the complexities of migration, the bonds that transcend borders, and the strength of character that is accessed in the face of adversity. A masterful blend of literary craftsmanship and emotional depth, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a profound and resonant exploration of the human experience.
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Gone Fishing - Poetry
‘Every once and awhile one needs to wrap themselves in forgiveness, and forgetfulness…it’s the only way to release the hook, lean into it, no resistance, no pulling away.’ From the first poem in Gone Fishing, the poet takes you on a journey where each verse meditates on an aspect of being human, living in the light and letting it go at that. This collection runs the gamut of relationships, spirituality, impermanence, and a romance with life, the poet asking if you believe in happy endings.
Free To Be Me -Poetry
Free To Be Me is a tribute to all the Seekers that have nurtured my belief that we are all one. Each poem meditates on an aspect of being human and wanting non-other than to share in the possibility, that we can look upon the face of God, and see our reflection. In this collection of poetry, which I have written over the years, I only have the words to repeat what the universe has whispered in my ear, spoken with a virtuous breath not my own, for I borrow all that I am from all that has been and is. In the title poem I offer this book as a gift to bring the reader the peace of mind that comes from believing in yourself, and finding the way, to finally say “I’m free to be me”.
Father Hunting -Poetry
Father Hunting is a journey in poetic narrative, of searching for a father, who left a four year old standing on the platform of a train station, never to return, until one day several decades later they met in a cold, northern city. In that moment all his questions over the years were answered: old rags and brittle bone/had been where he had been/and covered his tracks well/his father let his bones die/ let his legs ground to sand/and he had been denied/the final moments of the hunt. Father Hunting is a positive example of dealing with a history of abandonment when the child becomes a father, overcoming child custody, and coming full circle in a loving father/son relationship.
Small Altars Where the Sun Performs Morning Service -Poetry
A Cameo Collection of Short Poems & Morning Minuets. New and previously loved poems capturing a moment in time and space. The language of John's poems is natural and spontaneous, the simple words of everyday parlance. Artless expression is not automatic, however, and is far more difficult to achieve than it appears. John is a poet who does it well and is able at the same time to preserve the rhythm. Some of the poems hint of the concise perfection of short form Oriental poetry. In this volume, the first line, always italicized, constitutes each poem’s title.
The Sneaky Twitch of an Itch Illustrated - Poetry
The Sneaky Twitch of an Itch" came out of a long forgotten drawer one day and bounded his way into my heart. His "Catch me if you Can' attitude enticed the artist in me. Yet his elusive nature made him hard to hold onto. Why? I decided it's because he is meant for each and every reader's imagination. This poem's delightful ways tantalize and tease readers of all ages. Through Sneaky's impish and frolicking behavior children are taught the importance of caring relationships and the value of cleanliness and hygiene.
The Journey Home Narrative -Poetry
The Journey Home is the story of Thomas (a dreamer) who sets off on "The Path", to follow the twists and turns of "The River of Life." Along the way Thomas encounters new companions and experiences, as well as discovering new ideas, questions and new learning. Some bring him feelings of warmth and happiness and others, fear and doubt. His ultimate learning comes when he awakens to find that love is always with you, even when you think you are alone.
BOOK 1 Any Where Except Yesterday -Fiction
Luc Barbon, upon discharge from the army, was on autopilot heading to the Ozarks. His plan was to bury himself in an educational foxhole, insulated from the insanity of the Vietnam War and national angst. Somewhere he could rewrite his story. He is on a mission to leave a past of self-doubt and fear of commitment behind only to find himself in an enclave of passion and prejudice. Love and learning dissolve in an unforeseen twist of fate.
After an inhospitable stopover in an Arkansas prison, the Greyhound Bus terminal in Dallas, Texas is as far as money and time will take him. His off trail diversion into sex, drugs, and rock & roll were just a few of the obstacles he encounters in pursuit of his goal, until fate once again writes the next chapter.
BOOK 2 A Long Way From Nowhere -Fiction
Luc Barbon felt like he was escaping from the reality of 1968. Retreating from his own dead-ends in the Ozarks and Dallas, and about to bury himself in another foxhole in East Texas. A place where the world evolved around a Dairy Queen. It just might be, he speculated, a safe spot to be for a while. What trouble could he possibly get into hidden among the Magnolias in the Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World.
What lay ahead was a blank slate. He wondered if this was going to be the way it is, always going somewhere, always leaving somewhere behind. He would soon discover he was like tumbleweed on a mission, his roots were shallow, and easily uprooted with the winds of change.
BOOK 3 When Somewhere is Never Enough -
When somewhere is never enough as far away as yesterday collides with the inevitability of life on the road.
On an elusive mission to find his passion, the journey across Texas from dawn to dusk is a roller coaster ride with twists, turns, and crossovers on an unpredictable track. Luc Barbon enters a world where everything he believes in, even love, has an alternative reality. Every time he reaches the top of the incline the devil of addiction takes over until he hits the bottom of the incline.
“They made love that evening as if they were ending a chapter in their lives, a chapter where the tumbleweed, once uprooted, can never return to that moment in time.”
L earning To Lean on Living -Poetry
Learning to Lean Back on Living is a journey of self-discovery providing new ways for self-reflection, and examining where we fit into the grand scheme. It’s an exploration of what it means to be authentic, looking in the mirror and loving to live in a momentary reflection of ourselves. The poems in this collection are lessons on leaning back and welcoming each day into your awareness, as you would your lover’s arms.
Kats, Kids & Kreativity -Poetry
A collection of poetry divided into a trinity of themes about life with a clowder of felines, life as a single parent, life in a world of creativity. All-encompassing unconditional love, heartbreak, and the wonder of a loving relationship with the world we live in. Poems to touch the heart, the mind, and the soul of who we are as imaginative and creative beings.
Footprints in the Dust -Poetry
It is troublesome this day and age to hold on to the belief cultural diversity, and the common good is the glue that holds it all together when animus, domination and greed suffer the soul of humanity. Footprints In The Dust tears down the wall between the Eagle and the Serpent laying bare the great divide between good and evil, and shreds the false premise that the other is foreign.
The Tao says, when all words are exhausted, the truth appears. In his writing the poet has always aimed to spread the word and seek the truth. These poems invites us to reach across borders and reimagine what it is meant to dream.
Ageing Beautifully in Light of You – Poetry
Need a little romance in your Life? This book is the most memorable collection of romance poetry written today. John mixes soul felt moments of longing and loving passion, stirs in with delicate tenderness sharing and caring, combines, respectfully companionship and, finishes with a dash of wit and wisdom. The result is a wonderful dish with a taste for everyone. A perfect gift for your sweetheart, the newly to be wed, the anniversary couple, or to share for no reason but to savor the flavor.
A Stroll Through the Village of Ajijic -Poetry
Ajijic is a small village nestled on the north shore of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest lake. Surrounded by the Sierra Madres, it is a world unto itself, where behind the walls, windows and doors are always open and welcoming. After visiting, it was only a matter of time before I returned to what is now home. These poems speak of a celebration of life and death, a festival of music, church bells, and children laughing. They speak of the toil and contentment of living in nature’s garden, where each day begins with a morning symphony. In Ajijic two worlds live side by side harmoniously. Walls separate one another, yet life dances to the rhythm of conscious matter and mystery, and time is only what you make of it.