It's Indie Poetry Time

with Jobie Townshend-Zellner



Jobie Townshend-Zellner is a poet from San Diego, CA. Photography and graphic art are other “loves”. She enjoys walking through local parks, biking in her neighborhood, and visiting the local “Open Mic” scene. In the spring, Jobie will have a poem appear in The San Diego Poetry Annual 2022-2023. Some of her poetry and photography were published last year in ‘Poetry is Life’, a book of poetry and ideas, compiled by Ann Quinn; Yellow Arrow Publishing. When the Muse isn’t speaking, Jobie serves at church and tends her container garden - on the lookout for visits from hummingbirds!

Jobie started her earth journey in Northern California, and grew up in various cities - from Virginia to Southern California. She has always taken her wonder of life, people, places and nature with her.

Enjoy your visit here!
About image

The Power of Reflection

How to speak an original poem, with Jobie.

Find Home ...

...on your journey


                                                                                                         Please hold life lightly

                                                                                                    White-knuckled ride is over

                                                                                                         We can breathe again.


                                                                                                        photo by Jobie

Nature Spoof, a Limerick

Hail dancing on roof ?

I went to get some proof -

Kernels of corn?!!

Popcorn was born

within this nature spoof!



Wrapped Gift

           Only the Giver knows the

          inside story; stay

          calm, willing to be surprised.



Water Currents …

     … spring from within me.

      I've stopped carrying earthen

     jars atop my head.




Where is ...


my watch?

my hair clip?

my life direction?

     not in it’s case ...

     not in the drawer ...

     not in my head ...

          ... What to do?

          Well, I’ll just keep on livin’ -

          Without ‘em.

                    Sweepin’

                    under the table ...

                    I find my clip!

                              Pullin’ on my walkin’ pants ...

                              what’s this clump in the pocket?

                              It’s my watch!

                                        Treading the earth

                                        step by step, my heart is in order.

                                        Wow - I’ve found my way!




Find Home ...

to be your journey

not in a house by the side of the road.

                                                                 "The Girl I Left Behind Me" by Eastman Johnson







Shadow-War Hero


Once shadows were exciting!

Dark cloud shadows, with scent of coming rain ...

The shrinking shadow of a descending carrying-my-friend plane ...

Fan blade shadows, rotating over my summer reading ...


But lately, gloomy shadows have come creeping

across my mental landscape, screaming

fearfully ominous lies in my face,

as I’m forging ahead with good projects in my embrace. 


"Why are you doing this at all?"

“Somebody else could do it much better than you!”

“Your efforts for good are so small

nothing worthwhile will ever come through!”


I should have slammed the door in their faces!

They now hover over me, a black umbrella in all places,

blocking the light... suffocating what’s right ....

Under their shadow, will I ever grow?


Hello, warm friend! I feel bouncing off you, the light of what’s true!

Can I grow across to you?

No.  To be upright,

I, myself, have to head towards the light!


Thank you for your reflected light, it’s given me courage to fight.

I will destroy this tyrannical umbrella of lies by being wise.

When they’re not looking,

I’ll give them the boot with what’s true:


“Why are you doing this at all?"

I’m doing this because of my divine call.

over which you have no power at all!


“Somebody else could do it much better than you!”

There’s no one who’s “better” - what’s needed is my uniqueness;

but you can’t understand that - you represent mass hypnosis.


“Your efforts for good are so small -

nothing worthwhile will ever come through!"

My efforts are more than your unlawful lies, which are zero.

My source is endless good, which ultimately rules as hero.


- Jobie Townshend-Zellner

A weekly poem for you!

  •  1/29/2023 20:13

  •  8/4/2020 00:00

  •  7/5/2016 00:00