August 08, 2025

“Raise Your Hand If You Hear My Voice,” poetry with Janice Cummings O’Mahony

52 minutes

Join us for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation with poet Janice Cummings O’Mahony as we dive into her new collection of poetry, “Raise Your Hand If You Hear My Voice,” exploring memory, family, love, grief, and resilience.

Janice’s work blends nostalgia with sharp wit, tackling themes like childhood, military trauma, aging, and social justice. Her poems move seamlessly between emotional depth and snarky humor, offering a raw and authentic look at life’s complexities.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Why Janice turned to poetry after a career in social work and government

How her father’s PTSD from WWII and Korea shaped her writing

The challenge of editing poetry—killing your "darlings" for clarity

Feminist themes in poems like "Sleeper Cell" and "Decorum"

Satirical takes on privilege in "First World Musing"

The haunting reality of gun violence in "Uvalde Lament"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

Poetry for skeptics: Even if you’re not a poetry fan, Janice’s earthy, relatable style might change your mind.

Personal & political: From family secrets to social critique, her work bridges the intimate and the universal.

Raw readings: Hear Janice perform excerpts, including Pat reading the poignant "Morning Glory” and Greg reading darkly funny "Bad Art."

Get the Book: JaniceO’Mahony.com (https://JaniceOMahony.com )

Greg’s Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/

Pat’s Substack: https://patcummings.substack.com/about

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